Ka Chuan as China ambassador: Exile or comeback?

Speculations have been rife in recent weeks that two former top leaders of MCA are in the running to head the Malaysian embassy in China - a prestigious and powerful post considering the rise of China as a superpower.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is said that have approached the Ong brothers - former MCA president Ka Ting and ex-party secretary-general Ka Chuan for the post.

However they have both denied that such an offer was place but the speculation is just refusing to die away.

More recently certain Internet news portals and the Chinese media seemed to have picked up the steam, with reports increasingly pointing towards Ka Chuan to be appointed to the post.

Malaysiakini contacted Ka Chuan for his comments and his brushed aside the talks as being mere speculations.

"As far as I am concerned, this is just a speculation. Until now no one has approached me for that appointment," he said in an SMS reply.

He also added being a member of parliament for Tanjung Malim, he had to still serve his constituents who had voted him in.

"As a responsible MP, I think this is my clear stand," he said.

But according to a Sin Chew Daily report today, Ka Chuan was quoted as admitting that he was approached to be the ambassador but had not received any official letter on that matter.

His response to Malaysiakini as branding the talks as mere speculation could be due to the lack of a firm offer from Najib.

Ka Ting is busy elsewhere

Another Chinese newspaper, Kwong Wah Yit Poh meanwhile reported early this month that it was Ka Chuan's younger brother Ka Ting who might be appointed as the ambassador to China.

However he too dismissed the talk when asked to comment by Malaysiakini .

"It's just a speculative news. I have no such wish. Neither is there such an offer," said the member of parliamentarian for Kulai.

Ka Ting, who was the former local government and housing minister, is presently involved in various charity works. He is also the chairperson of the Tunku Abdul Rahman college, an education arm set up by MCA. He did not contest to retain his party post in the party polls last year.

His brother Ka Chuan however contested for the deputy president's post but was defeated by Chua Soi Lek. As a result he had to give up his cabinet post. He holds no party post either.

Sources in the Foreign Ministry have also denied any knowledge of either of the brothers being picked to be the ambassador to China.

"It remains as a speculation," said a ministry official.

The posting to China, if granted to one of the brothers, or to any other Chinese person, would mark a departure from the government's stand in appointing non-Malays to that high-profile post.

By convention, Chinese Malaysians have never been appointed to head the embassy in China, and likewise an Indian Malaysian has never been made an ambassador to India.

Historically this was due to a fear of potential divided loyalties between their motherlands and Malaysia.

But it is learnt that Najib wants to move away from this old practice, especially in China and appoint someone who can converse the language and the culture of that country.

And either of the Ong brothers would fit the profile perfectly as they had been in the mainstream of local politics as well as been ministers in the government.

And this high-profile appointment would also help in regaining the lost Chinese support for Barisan Nasional.

Exile or a way back

However MCA insiders have a different take on the appointments, especially if it was given to Ka Chuan.

They feel that if Ka Chuan takes up the post, it would be seen as a form of ‘political exile' for him and could result in the end of his political career.

With the ongoing power struggle in MCA between the current president Ong Tee Keat and his deputy Chua, many Ka Chuan supporters believe that their man can make a comeback soon due to his long serving years in the party in various capacities.

These supporters believe that Ka Chuan should remain close to the party here in Malaysia to fight for a comeback and not be cast away doing his job as an ambassador in China.

And on the other side of the fence, there are some Ka Chuan supporters who think that it would be better for him to regain limelight by taking up the ambassador's post, if it was offered.

They think that the appointment would grant him a way back into the media limelight, especially among the Chinese community.

They feel that Ka Chuan would be in a good position to further cement the trade ties between Malaysia and China, especially with the continuing increase in the investments by the Malaysian business community in China.

The question of Ka Chuan being a member of parliament is also not an issue as the government had previously appointed MPs to become ambassadors, including several MCA leaders, such as former party president Ong Yoke Lin, ex-secretary- general Lew Sip Hon.

Nothing is certain until Najib or the Foreign Ministry makes an official announcement on the posting. However it would be interesting to note if either Ka Chuan or Ka Ting accompany the prime minister for an official China visit scheduled for early June.