The clock is ticking for the most anticipated event of the year, at least as far as MCA members are concerned.

When dawn breaks on Saturday, the infighting-riddled second largest component party in Barisan Nasional will hold its '10.10.10' emergency general meeting or EGM. (10.10.10 is for 10th October, 10am)

The meeting is crucial for it will determine the political future of two MCA titans, its president Ong Tee Keat and his deposed former deputy Dr Chua Soi Lek.

chua soi lek interview 061009 chua soi lek 01 In an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini yesterday, Chua dismissed talk that he is the blue-eyed boy of Umno, which detractors feel will undermine his role in defending the rights of the Chinese community.

Blaming his rival, the medical doctor turned politician said: "Well (it is) maybe another tale spun by Ong in the hope of generating animosity within MCA."

On the same note, he pointed out that the political reality in this country is such that any MCA leader needs to work closely with Umno.

Conceding that he shares close ties with Umno, Chua stressed that it does not mean he will nod in agreement all the time.

NONE Attacking the president once again, he asked: "Has Ong stood up to Umno? What has he done in this one year to show that he has stood up against Umno?"

"When I was invited for a talk, I said we should reject the concept of Ketuanan Melayu (Malay supremacy). I was called up by the police and interrogated. There was a march to MCA (by Malay NGOs) to send a memorandum," he said.

"The strength of BN depends on the close ties of the component parties... if you want to make your stand you can do so in the cabinet or when you meet the prime minister. There is no need for grand standing," he added.

No untoward incidents please

Meanwhile, Chua said he hopes the EGM will be coordinated smoothly and without any untoward incidents.

Five resolutions will be tabled and each will be voted on separately. One of the resolutions calls for a vote of no confidence against Ong while another wants Chua to be reinstated.

The EGM was called by Chua's supporters in a bid to quash the controversial presidential council's decision on Aug 26 to sack him for causing disrepute to the party over his sex DVD scandal.

The sacking was later commuted to a four-year suspension by the central committee.

Chua believes that the EGM will clear the path for MCA's future and restore the party, which was battered in the last general election, to its former glory.

"They are going to use the smart card (membership card) during the voting... we have asked for the use of identification cards," he said, adding that their request for the use of identification cards has been rejected.

chua soi lek interview 061009 chua soi lek 04 "We don't want an EGM that creates another EGM," he said.

Chua said that his faction has refrained from submitting all the collected signatures in support of the EGM.

"If I submit the whole list, they (the rival camp) will go to them (delegates) but if I don't they don't know where the other 300 members are.

"It is a lesson I learnt in the first EGM (in the 1980s). The presidency will have the advantage and they will have people going down to convince the delegates, to change their minds, and all other kinds of offers," he added.

Chua, who quit as health minister when his scandal erupted last year, said he has already prepared his plans in 'black and white'.

"It is not just slogan shouting. The most important task for MCA's EGM is to consolidate the party, which is now split. There is a lot of internal fighting and conflict... comrades have become enemies," he said.

Asked if he was looking for the support of former MCA presidents, Chua said "as senior leaders they can give their comments out of concern for the party but it is not fair to drag them in."