MCA vice-president Chua Jui Meng will make an important announcement tomorrow on his political future.

An aide of the former health minister confirmed that Chua will hold a press conference in the afternoon at a Kuala Lumpur hotel to talk about his political plans

"He did not want to tell me which party post he is keen to contest. He just asked me to come to the press conference to hear what he has to say," the aide said when contacted today.

Speculations have been rife of late that Chua could either go for the president's post against Ong Ka Ting or challenge Chan Kong Choy for the deputy presidency. Many believe that he would go for the presidency if he is keen to resurrect his political career.

It is unlikely that Chua will want to become a deputy to Ong, who at 49, is not only a lot younger than him but also much junior in politics, said a political observer.

That being the case, he has no choice but to go for broke and challenge Ong for the top post despite knowing fully well that the odds are heavily stacked against him, he said

"Chua has nothing to lose too. He is no longer in the cabinet. If he loses, he would probably retire or remain in the political background. On the other hand, Ong's political career will be dealt a heavy blow should he lose".

The observer also pointed out that certain quarters in the party favoured a contest for the presidency as they felt that Ong must be put to the test and 'earned' the presidency. The post was 'offered' to him in a compromise following a protracted leadership tussle between Team A and Team B in the party.

"I am at my prime"

Chua had aligned himself to Team B. In 2002, Chua was tipped as a possible challenger against then MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik but the contest never took place following the peace plan initiated by then premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

In an exclusive interview with malaysiakini early this month, Chua 62 expressed his wish to continue playing a vital role in the party.

"I consider myself still at my prime, still capable to contribute in any field. People know my track record. I do what I say. I strive for excellence," he had said.

A vice-president of the party since 1990, Chua was returned unopposed as the Bakri division chief in Johore last month.

This year's MCA elections, scheduled for August, will see an intense battle for all positions, that is if Chua confirms his challenge for the presidency tomorrow.