MCA deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek’s recent revelation that he is being courted by Pakatan Rakyat has triggered much alarm in Barisan Nasional (BN).

Many party insiders have called his bluff, describing the claim as a ploy by Chua to garner more support from the grassroots as he prepares for a showdown with president Ong Tee Keat.

chua soi lek interview 131108 However, a party leader close to Chua (left) told Malaysiakini that there is truth to the statement.

“He would not compromise his close relationship with Umno leaders by making a false statement. There will be some developments in the next two or three weeks,” he said.

“Chua also enjoys strong support in Johor. He will definitely be welcomed elsewhere should he decide to leave MCA.”

The leader said he believes that Chua, who has a reputation for nerves of steel and who is not easily intimidated, will first make a final bid to shore up his position in MCA before making his exit.

“Ong is not a strong president, and Chua cannot delay (acting) any more. The longer he delays, the more his supporters will desert him,” he said.

He further revealed Chua's camp has not given up on its plan to call an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to oust the president, but is waiting for the right time.

ong tee keat and mca In other words, if Ong (right) fails to resolve the issue and allows Chua to gain more sympathy, the momentum could be generated for a vote of no-confidence to be tabled against the president through an EGM.

Ong and Chua have engaged in a long-running war of words that pre-dates the party elections last October.

Chua made surprising comeback to active politics when he was elected deputy president, just 10 months after resigning from his government and party posts in the wake of a sex scandal.

However, Ong did not recommend Chua for a ministerial post, leading to the latter’s shocking claim in an interview last week with online news portal The Nut Graph . His comment was later picked up by major Chinese dailies.

"I don't jump ship because I'm disgruntled and unhappy. I don't think I will do that. I will jump ship only when I find I have no meaningful role to play," Chua was quoted as saying.

Ong has brushed off the comment, describing it as a move to “create news” with a personal agenda.

BN and Umno head Najib Abdul Razak said he saw it as mere speculation, while his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin - who described himself as Chua’s “good friend” - was certain that the MCA leader will not defect.

‘Umno won’t interfere’

Former MCA vice-president Yap Pian Hon, who supported Ong in the party polls, admitted that Chua has succeeded in drawing the attention of top Umno leaders.

But Umno will not interfere in MCA’s affairs, as is the convention among BN component parties, he told Malaysiakini .

Another party veteran, however, was of the view that Umno will not hesitate to act if Chua exceeds the limit and if his actions affect support in Johor, which is a BN stronghold.

chua tee yong The veteran explained what could constitute ‘exceeding the limit’ - if, for instance, Chua tells his son Tee Yong (left) to resign as Labis MP in order to create a by-election.

“However, if Chua continue to push the limits, it will be Ong who will ultimately feel the pressure. Umno will blame him for not being able to discipline a subordinate,” he added.

One way to hold Chua to ransom and prevent his defection will likely be to remind him that the police have yet to close their investigation against him for alleged oral sex, based on the DVD footage in the sex scandal.