It was nasi lemak diplomacy as newly-elected MCA president Chua Soi Lek attempted to close ranks with party leaders with the Malaysian delicacy.

However, notably missing the tasty treat were his immediate predecessor Transport minister Ong Tee Keat, and deputy Women, Family and Community Development minister Chew Mei Fun.

It is understood that Ong is on leave while Chew is in Bangkok for an inter-parliamentarian conference.

NONE It was Chua’s ( right) first meeting with MCA’s representatives in the Cabinet, and the deputy ministers after the fiery party elections on Sunday.

However, he fell short of announcing the details of any reshuffle in the Cabinet for MCA’s allocations.

“I have not made any recommendations nor have I met the prime minister. I am waiting for the PM to meet me,” he said after the two and a half hour lunch meeting at Wisma MCA here in the afternoon.

Guessing game

Speaking to the 40-strong crowd of journalists, he also kept them guessing on who would be retaining their positions.

In the party elections, both Ong and Housing and Local Government minister Kong Cho Ha failed to retain their party posts.

The deputy ministers emerged unscathed in the bloodbath.

By tradition, the Cabinet quota for MCA are four full ministerial and seven deputy ministers posts.

Chua said those who lost in the party polls may also "make it” into the recommendation list which will be sent to the PM.

bagan pinang kong chor har 051009.jpg In the lunch meeting, he also said that he told the ministers to stop speculating on the new cabinet lineup and not to be influenced by what is written in the media.

“I told them to focus on their duties as ministers and deputy ministers, and to follow up in their responsibilities well.”

There have been strong rumours in the Chinese vernacular newspapers that Ong and Kong ( left ) would retain their ministries.

Kong, a hardcore Chua supporter, is also tipped to bag the party secretary-general position.

It is said that retaining Ong’s post is a repayment of his favour by “spoiling” the votes in the three-way presidency bid between himself, Chua and former party president Ong Ka Ting.

Chua emerged victorious with 901 votes, albeit on a razor-thin 68 vote majority compared to votes for Ka Ting. Ong came nowhere close, garnering only 578 votes out of 2,318 central delegates.