VIDEO l 5:15 min

MCA vice-president Donald Lim has announced his intention to contest for the party deputy president’s post, resulting in a straight fight for the No 2 slot.

NONE With this, Lim ( right ) will face off against party youth chief Wee Ka Siong , who earlier expressed his intention to stand for the same post.

Over 200 party members from Selangor were in attendance when Lim, who is also Selangor MCA liaison committee chairperson, held his press conference at Wisma MCA today.

This is not the first time that Lim is contesting for the No 2 post, as in 2008, he was defeated by then-deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek.

Asked about his preferred choice for party president, Lim sidestepped the question, saying he is not teaming up with anyone and will wait for the nomination day on Dec 16 for the final list.

Lim explained that it is still unsure if those who announced their interests for the post will turn up on nomination day, and there may be more contestants for the post.

NONE To date, three MCA leaders have expressed their intention to stand for the president post – former president Ong Tee Keat ( right ), deputy president Liow Tiong Lai and vice-president Gan Ping Sieu .

Being a veteran political leader, Lim said he is able to team up with anyone for the betterment of the party.

He added that his advocacy this time is to eliminate factional feud in the party and reunite the members.

Lim was greeted with applause from the floor each time he answered questions posed by reporters, with some supporters even shouting “very good answer”.

On his chances of winning the post in his second attempt, Lim replied: “Wouldn’t you be smarter after five years?”

Pick the best from all ‘menus’

Lim urged the central delegates to pick the best from the “menus” (candidate list arranged based on factions).

“You know that there are many factions in the party, we have ‘cai dan’ or menus. So we hope that delegates can pick the best from all the menus, don’t follow only one menu,” he said.

Lim explained that the “cai dan” culture will result in those who are less capable being voted in.

“I hope this party election will be a battle between gentlemen without personal attacks,” he said, adding that he wanted to play a role to balance the difference between the factions.

NONE Meanwhile, Sabak Bernam division chief Kee Ah Kau chided Selangor party leaders who were absent and not supporting Lim.

 

“My name is Kee Ah Kau, you can quote me,” he said to the reporters before leaving the conference room in a rush following his outburst.

It is learnt that there were only 12 Selangor division chiefs, including Lim, out of the total 22 state divisions, present at the press conference .