The re-emergence of the infamous sex DVD has become another hurdle for sacked MCA deputy president Chua Soi Lek's attempt to topple party president Ong Tee Keat through the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to be held on Oct 10.

NONE It was reported that the DVD was distributed among the central delegates and BN component party leaders.

However no one has to date come out to confirm receiving it and the person or persons behind the distribution still remains a question mark.

Chua, who resigned all his government and party posts after the scandal early last year, immediately denied allegations by a pro-Ong online media that he orchestrated the DVD distribution to discredit Ong and portray himself as the victim.

Calculated to destroy both

On the other hand, party office bearers aligned to the president came out with several statements today claiming it was a conspiracy by a 'third force' or outsiders calculated to damage the personality and credibility of both Chua and Ong and eventually destroy MCA.

Secretary-general Wong Foon Meng said both camps would not distribute the DVD because they would be seen as a 'self-directed drama' or 'fishing for sympathy'.

The culprit would be someone who wants to see MCA continue to be embroiled in chaos and disunity, said Wong.

Meanwhile MCA non-governmental organisation liaison bureau tee lian ker chairman Ti Lian Ker (right) put the blame on a " Third Force from within the party".

"This Third Force had wants to control the MCA's leadership for their personal motives and agenda. They want to dictate terms to the MCA leadership as in the past. The disagreement from within the party had rendered them an opportunity to 'kill two big birds with one stone'," said Ti in a statement.

DVD, a reminder to delegates and BN

Whoever was responsible for the re-emergence of Chua's DVD, it has put Chua at a disadvantage, with just three weeks before the EGM.

Some believe it will not affect Chua's support because of the fact that he bagged the deputy president's post in a three-cornered fight in last year party polls despite the DVD issue.

However, according to MCA observers, the current scenario is different as Chua is expected to succeed as the MCA president and even be reappointed as minister...that is if he is reinstated as deputy president and a no-confidence vote is passed against Ong in the EGM.

Although the party constitution does not require the president to step down if the no-confidence vote is passed, Ong has announced that he and all the members of the presidential council who were responsible for Chua's sacking would resign en masse.

According to the party constitution, the deputy president will automatically take over the office if the president's post was vacated.

Hence the DVD serves as a sentinel to all 2,377 central delegates, on whether they want a tainted leader to represent the MCA, the Chinese community and the nation.

Apparently the DVD was also distributed to BN component party leaders.

It is a subtle warning that if they do not stop Chua, he will be a potential liability to BN in the next election.

‘DVD actor vs dictator'

According to sources in Chua's camp, they had expected the DVD scandal to resurface again and damage control plans have been put in place.

Immediately after the news was reported, Chua struck back by hinting that Ong's camp was behind the 'despicable move' as only the incumbent possesses the address of the central delegates.

His move is clearly fan anger against Ong as the central delegates had decided to bury the issue by voting for him in last year's party polls.

Another rebuttal by Chua's camp is comparing Chua's scandal with Ong's 'autocratic leadership' in MCA.

One of the three EGM proposers, Loh Seng Kok, said that Ong's high-handed leadership, which does not respect the central delegates, had split the party into pieces.

"This is more damaging to the party compared to the sex DVD scandal."

Will Chua shut the door to the Cabinet?

There is another quarter within the party that suggests that Chua should openly vow not to enter the cabinet if he manage to topple Ong and helm the party.

They believe that if Chua could promise to remain as BN chief coordinator, this will solve the dilemma of many central delegates who worry Chua's scandal will embarrass the government if he is reappointed as minister.

Although Chua had reiterated that he is not interested in the MCA president and minister's post, it is a matter of fact that he will take over the party if Ong is voted out in the EGM.

Hence he needs to state his stand clearly on the outcome of the EGM and how he does it will chart and affect his chances at the EGM.

However the central delegates will face another problem if Chua is willing to become the MCA president without a ministerial post.

Will such a president effectively represents the Chinese community in government and whether he will become a lame duck leader while his deputy and vice presidents sit in Cabinet?