'New Politics, New Vision, New MCA' - the title of Chua Jui Meng's manifesto for his upcoming battle for the MCA presidency says it all.

In an unprecedented move, the presidential challenger came out with a 20-page manifesto which outlines his vision for the party and reveals master plans in areas of politics, economic, education and culture which affect the Chinese community.

One significant point outlined in his manifesto was to enhance the role played by Huaren Holdings - the investment arm of the party.

"I envision the creation of a strong economic entity that the MCA can use as a vehicle to support our projects within the Malaysian Chinese community.

"We have in Huaren Holdings the seed to accelerate economic activities for the benefit of the party and the Chinese community," he told a press conference in a Kuala Lumpur hotel today.

Chua also promised to restructure the party's disciplinary committee and to clean the membership list.

"The disciplinary committee should not comprise people likely to have conflict of interest. We could learn from Umno's disciplinary committee whose members are retired senior party leaders who carry out their tasks without fear or favour," he said.

Unhealthy culture

Chua, a vice-president since 1990, also condemned the culture of requesting MCA state liaison committees to make an open declaration of support for the current leadership.

"Isn't that a form of 'menu' politics too?" he asked to a round of applause from his supporters present.

This refers to the past tradition where top leaders released a list of preferred candidates - called 'chai tan' (menu) - for delegates to support.

In Kota Kinabalu early this week, an aide of the former health minister said that many grassroots leaders were unhappy with the 'public declaration' culture, adding that it borders on forcing people to do it and threatening those who oppose it.

"I tell my supporters not to openly express their support. We don't want this culture of asking for public expression of support. Everywhere I go, I send the same message," he said.

Several state committees came out to declare their support for incumbent president Ong Ka Ting soon after Chua announced his decision to contest the presidency last Friday.

Questioned about the controversial acquisition of Nanyang Press Holdings by the MCA in 2001, Chua stated that it would be unfair to expect him to make a different stand from that of the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) which resolved to make the acquisition.

Party discipline

"As a party member and leader, I am guided by the decision of the EGM which had made the decision (of the acquisition). I would have to follow the resolutions. This is what party discipline is about."

Asked if he would decide otherwise if elected party president, Chua replied, "This is a premature question as I am not elected yet and I am still the underdog."

In 2001, Huaren acquired Nanyang Press Holdings, the publishers of two Chinese dailies, Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press . This had drawn flak from the Chinese community which feared the erosion of press freedom.

This was believed to be one of the major causes of the party's protracted leadership struggle between Team A led by Dr Ling Liong Sik and Team B led by Lim Ah Lek. Team B was against buying Nanyang Holdings.

On June 24, 2001, the EGM was called to decide on the matter.

The EGM saw victory for Team A by a narrow majority of 157 votes. The group garnered 1,176 votes against 1,019 who voted against the acquisition. Chua, who was aligned to Team B, was openly against the acquisition.

Last year, he was unceremoniously dropped as health minister although he retained his Bakri parliamentary seat. He was replaced by Dr Chua Soi Lek, a known ally of Ong.

Party elections will be held on Aug 20.