Is MCA thawing towards Chua?

MCA deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek cut a high-profile figure yesterday during the nominations process for the Bukit Selambau by-election.

He took his place with newly-elected Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin, MIC president S Samy Vellu and other Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders, in a strong show of support for candidate S Ganesan.

Later, Chua attended a dinner organised by the Merbok MCA, during which he spoke to the 1,000-strong crowd.

The thrust of his speech was that premier-in-waiting and Umno president Najib Abdul Razak will bring about change.

“I am not someone who practises apple-polishing (toadying). I don’t fawn on anyone. But if you ask me if I have faith in Najib, I would say ‘Yes’,” Chua said.

“He is an enlightened and open-minded Malay leader… clever, responsive and quick to react. Who is slow, I need not say, we all know.

“(Najib) is experienced (in matters of both) state and federal government. He was a menteri besar who then moved on to federal (posts).

"I have a lot of confidence in his ability to stabilise the country and lead it to greater achievements.”

Chua ticked off the Kedah Pakatan Rakyat government as being too caught up in religion, and hence neglecting the economy.

However, his audience did not appear convinced, going by their reaction - Chua, in typical forthright manner, asked for applause several times.

Back in the fold?

Still, the reception accorded by MCA in Bukit Selambau was in stark contrast to that during the Kuala Terengganu by-election in January when Chua found himself campaigning alone.

At the time, his relationship with party president Ong Tee Keat (left) was at its lowest and he was sidelined by other leaders as well.

Some analysts claimed that Chua may probably have an advantage among the Chinese community in Sungai Petani as he belongs - like most of them - to the Teochew clan. He has attended activities held there several times.

However, Merbok MCA said Chua’s presence was part of the party's electoral campaign in the state seat. Although party vice-president Liow Tiong Lai had also been invited, he was unable to attend the function, said an official.

At the end of the dinner, Ganesan showed up with his wife R Vatsala, who spoke in Hokkien to the delight of the Chinese audience.

Contacted later, Ganesan said he is confident that she would help him secure more Chinese votes.

About 19.3 percent of the electorate comprises Chinese, but they are said to be strong supporters of Pakatan.

However, Chua told reporters that BN has a better chance in the by-election because the PAS-led Kedah government has not fulfilled its election promises and has not been able to manage the state properly since taking over last year

He further alleged that many voters are unhappy with former PKR state assemblyperson V Arumugam, who vacated the seat and quit his state government post after coming under pressure over a family matter.