Fireworks are guaranteed at this year's MCA elections, with another big name joining in the race, which is being touted as the most interesting in two decades.

Veteran leader Dr Ting Chew Peh confirmed today that he will take on incumbent Chan Kong Choy for the deputy president post come Aug 20.

At a press conference held at the MCA headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, the 62-year-old politician laid to rest months of speculation that he will be gunning for number two.

"With all sincerity and humility, I would like to announce my decision to offer myself for the post of president," he said to many raised eyebrows.

However, seconds later, he had the crowd in stitches, when he added, "a level lower than president which is deputy president."

Ting, who is currently the party secretary-general, said he made the decision for two reasons - to 'fulfill the wishes of the members' and to 'continue serving for the benefit of the people and nation'.

'No venture, no gain'

"Even you know there is a tiger in the jungle, you still go," he cited a Chinese proverb to prove his determination, and added, "No venture, no gain".

Asked how he would be any different from the incumbent, Ting replied: "I am Ting Chew Peh. He is Chan Kong Choy."

"I should not speak about my strengths and I should not blow my own trumpet," he added.

A two-term housing and local government minister, Ting was dropped from the cabinet after the 1999 general election to give way to current MCA president Ong Ka Ting.

Asked why he did not go for the president post instead, he quipped: "Why do you only tell me now? I already made my official announcement...I made up my mind a few months ago. I said I would not change it so I wont."

Which team?

Responding to another question, Ting said he is not teaming up with other candidates to consolidate his position.

"I am alone. The party subscribes to collective leadership," he said, adding that 'teaming up' depends on individual perception.

"I am from which team? I also don't know. Whether it is Team A, B, C or D, I don't know whether they exists... Everyone deals with things in their own way. Some people team up, some don't," he said.

He also brushed aside the suggestion that he was going for broke because he has been marginalised in the party.

"I am marginalised? I am the secretary-general. I attend all the party meetings. I sit side by side with the president and deputy president. Secretary-general is still at the centre of power," he said.

With Ting's announcement today, the race for the deputy presidency will be a three-cornered contest. Former MCA Youth deputy chief Chan Tse Yuen was the first to declare his bid for the post.