His political career came close to being obliterated on numerous occasions after being sidelined by former MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik. Despite this, Yap Pian Hon said he bore no grudges.

"He (Ling) caused the strongest pressure on my political career I have ever encountered. I was marginalised because of him. But this is history," the veteran party leader told malaysiakini in a recent interview.

"Now he is no longer a party leader. He is history. I don't have malice or want to take revenge on him," he added.

Yap conceded that his relationship with Ling had been irreconcilable from 1990 until the latter stepped down in 2003.

"It's a fact that from 1990 to May 2003, we had a political difference that could not be reconciled. Ling declined to accept the fact that I was elected by the grassroots (as vice-president), he denied the democratic right (of the members)," he claimed.

Yap, 64, was a vice-president from 1990 until he was defeated in the 1999 party elections.

It is common knowledge that the bad blood between Ling and him was the reason why Yap was never assigned a cabinet position despite being a three-term vice-president.

It is a tradition in MCA that its four vice presidents hold cabinet posts as recommended by the party's president to the prime minister.

Keep your word

Now that Ling is no longer in the forefront, Yap said he cannot directly impose pressure upon him.

"He is not in politics... Although I think he still has a little bit of influence in the party, but he cannot pressure me directly anymore. I think his political relationship with me is over."

He said since Ling had openly declared that he would not interfere in the party elections, he should keep his word.

"Since he said he would not interfere then he should not make any statements in the media as this will influence some members... If you still talk, it means you did not mean what you said (about non-interfering)," he added

According to Yap, Ling should emulate another former party president Lee San Choon who stepped down in 1983.

"Lee, after his resignation, never said anything about politics. I respect him very much. He did not say anything for 20 years until recently," he said.

Yap, is one of the nine vice-presidency candidates vying for the four posts in the upcoming party central election slated for Aug 20.

The other eight are Dr Fong Chan Onn, Dr Chua Soi Lek, Fu Ah Kiow, Ong Tee Keat, Donald Lim Siang Chai, Chor Chee Heung, Tan Chai Ho and Chau Tet On.

No alliances

Asked if he would team-up with other candidates to enhance his chances, Yap said he never gets involved in alliances.

"What is the different between 'menu' politics and alliance? I declined 'menu' politics before so why should I align to anyone now?" he asked, citing his past victories.

"To align or not is a personal choice. I will continue the style I have always had, I will not change. Even if they were candidates who share the same idealism, this does not mean I have to align myself with anyone," he stressed.

As for his relationship with the other candidates, he replied: "I will say hello when we meet. But we don't meet as everyone is busy."

"But this does not mean I am alone and don't mingle with people. In the elections, central delegates play the key role in deciding the leaders. So why should you talk so much with the candidates?" he quipped.

Yap also said that the Team A and Team B rivalry, which is a remnant from Ling's era, still existed in the party.

"The elements are still there. I have to be frank on this. Otherwise, there wont be arguments here and there now...Though I don't think it is serious, nevertheless it should be eliminated" said the veteran leader who had then aligned himself with Team B, led by Ling's former deputy Lim Ah Lek.

Reasonably well

On the leadership of the party's current president Ong Ka Ting and his deputy Chan Kong Choy, Yap said the duo have performed 'reasonably well' after taking over in 2003.

"But it is not 100 percent good yet. Democratic elections will help to legitimise their positions in the party," he added.

Ong and Chan were 'offered' the posts in a deal initiated by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad to end the Team A-Team B tussle.

Yap said although Ong's 'life-long learning programme' was good for the community, the leadership should address the key issues concerning the Chinese here.

"We must have a policy which is strong enough to know the position of MCA in BN (Barisan Nasianal) and the position of Chinese education in the national education policy," he added.

Admitting that his relationship with Ong and Chan was 'not special', he however claimed that his hard work over the years have been recognised by the duo.

"Otherwise, I would not be appointed as chairperson of Port Klang authority," he said.

Age factor

Commenting on the party elections, Yap said the intense contest for all posts showed that members reject excessive control of the party.

"After six years... everyone will like to prove that they have influence in the party. This also means the members reject the arrangements by the 'guardians' (leadership)," he said.

Asked if he would retire should he fail to win, Yap said: "Nobody will be a leader forever. When the time comes, I will leave. But if I think that I can still serve the community, why should I leave?"

As for those who harp on the age issue, the veteran leader said he would like to remind them that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Gerakan president Lim Keng Yaik and MIC president S Samy Vellu are all in their sixties.

"Age should not be a factor in politics... If you keep bringing up age as an issue, don't forget other leaders in BN have exceeded 60. You are indirectly pointing your finger at them as well," he added.

Questioned on his stand now on the controversial acquisition of Nanyang Press Holdings by MCA in 2001, Yap said he has to accept the decision made by the members at the extraordinary general meeting (EGM).

"I am not in the centre of power now so I don't know its operations. But should I get elected, I will look at the matter again," he said.

The Team A-Team B rivalry was exacerbated with the taking over of Nanyang, which publishes two Chinese dailies.

This is the second part of the ' MCA candidates meet Malaysiakini ' series. Yesterday: Chor Chee Heung . More to come next week.