Will Soi Lek repeat Ka Ting's mistakes?

Newly elected MCA president Chua Soi Lek showed his pragmatic approach when he announced the new party lineup last Wednesday.

Besides appointing his men to key party posts, he made the unprecedented move of inviting major Chinese associations and guilds to sit in at the party's presidential council.

He also appointed his son Tee Yong, MP for Labis, to the same council.

These first major moves raised voices of scepticism that he is repeating former president Ong Ka Ting's fatal mistakes.

During his tenure, Ka Ting was infamous for lobbying and infiltrating Chinese groups and also appointing his elder brother Ong Ka Chuan as party's secretary general.

According to political analysts, MCA's invitation to Chinese groups such as Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Hua Zong), The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) and Seven Clans Association had ‘dwarfed' them, making them as branches to the party.

They also said since Tee Yong won his seat in the last general election, his track record has not been convincing.

When interviewed by Malaysiakini, Dr Phoon Weng Keong (left) , a long-time MCA political observer, denounced Chua's decision as putting the major Chinese groups into a subordinate position.

"Invitees for presidential council meetings are normally associate members or second line leaders, who only can voice their concerns, but have no right to vote.

"Both Hua Zong and ACCCIM have at least 2000 member bodies and their leader are Tan Sris, but they are not even formal members in the presidential council, does it mean their status is lower than Chua Tee Yong's?" he asked.

He added that the appropriate way is to hold another meeting for MCA and major Chinese groups to discuss national issue on equal terms.

Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) chief executive officer Tang Ah Chai warned that the Chinese groups could find themselves in a difficult position as the public will eye them as favouring the ruling party.

"If Pakatan make a similar invitation, will the Chinese groups attend? If they don't accept, people will label them as pro MCA," he explained.

He also added this move may not be able to help MCA to understand the problems of the Chinese, as the 2008 general election had proven Chinese groups do not always reflect the views of their community.

However, Tang commended Chua's willingness to listen to the people, saying this would help strengthen his leadership.

Soi Lek's son

Meanwhile, regarding Tee Yong's appointment, Tang warned that should Soi Lek fail to handle it properly, he may repeat the mistake of the Ong brothers which led indirectly to their downfall.

He said the reason given by Soi Lek that his son is strong in economic affairs is not convincing.

"People still think he is Soi Lek's son," said Tang, adding that Tee Yong ( right ), who is an accountant, had yet to to impress in Parliament and party.

Phoon concurred and commented that Soi Lek should avoid creating a ‘princeling' culture in the party, where children of prominent political leaders rose to power riding on the backs of their fathers.

"Tee Yong should try harder to show his professionalism to build up his image," he stressed.

However, he expected that the appointment will not raise any negative reactions for the time being, unless Soi Lek promotes his son to deputy minister.

On Chua's new party line up dominated by his men, Phoon viewed it as normal practice in politics.

He observed that Soi Lek is, however, more politically savvy than his predecessor Ong Tee Keat in accommodating other factions in the new leadership.

"For example, he still appointed Ka Chuan into the presidential council, which is far better than Tee Keat who purposely created a lower post for the former secretary-general," he said.

The Ong brothers are seen as Chua's long-time enemies and Ka Ting was said to be the hand behind Chua's sex DVD scandal although he has denied it.

Ka Ting who retired in 2008, made a comeback in the recent polls to vy with Chua for presidency but was defeated by the slim majority of 68 votes.

Meanwhile Ka Chuan was elected as one of the 25 central committee members.