Dr Fong Chan Onn is MCA's most senior candidate for vice-president - this may work for or against him in Saturday's party polls, when he will have to fend off eight other contestants to be retained as one of the four elected vice-presidents.

In an interview with malaysiakini , he suggests that the party would lose a good team that he heads if he is voted out, and that could well affect the Chinese community's interests under the Ninth Malaysian Plan.

Malaysiakini: How do you see your chances after assessing your campaign?

Fong: I have been campaigning from six years ago. The central delegates are mature. At every party elections, they will judge a person on the basis of their record and this is not something that can be achieved within one month. Ever since I assumed office as deputy minister (of education, 1990-1999, now human resources minister), I have been working hard.

You mean delegates should vote you on the basis of your track-record?

I hope so.

Are you under tremendous pressure to retain your post since you are the most senior candidate for vice-president now?

In any contest, there would be pressure, of course; to say there is no pressure would not be true.

What about in your case?

Of course there is pressure. This is a contest and one would have to accept the decision of the central delegates. Nevertheless one should try one's best. Since I assumed office, I have never stopped working and I've contributed to the party. I am not ashamed of what I have done as deputy education minister (previously), and also of my contributions to the party, especially in running the economic bureau (as its head). I have resolved many issues and helped in the establishment of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman....so, I believe we will have to leave it to the central delegates to decide.

Many young Turks have emerged and the mood seems to favour younger leaders. Is age a factor in your case?

I am sure the central delegates are mature enough to want a combination of leaders of all ages, and I'm sure they know who they want.

There have been a lot of malicious SMS during campaigning...

Actually, campaigning has been in progress for a long time and we only have a few days left. I would think most of the contestants have done their ground work already.

Does this indicate a tough fight?

Of course it's tough, but it is very democratic. It shows the party is vibrant, all the (campaigning) methods are very mature, (and the contestants) friendly and civil to one another.

What is your view on the open pledges of support for the current leadership?

I think the state leaders can decide what they want to do, this is a democratic party. At the end of the day, the vote of the central delegates is secret. They should not be afraid of voting for whoever they support. It will be a secret vote anyway.

How do you see the contest between Ong Ka Ting and Chua Jui Meng for the presidency?

It is just a contest.

What about Chua Jui Meng's election manifesto?

I would not comment on that because in our party, the main strategy is what you say about yourself. You don't talk about other people, you present yourself and let the central delegates decide.

What do you think of the teamwork in the party now?

I've always emphasised that, in MCA, we work as a team. I stress that we need a team of people with different backgrounds. In my case, I've told all the delegates whom I've met that I would like to help (the party) by using my unique experience and background as an educationist and economist, especially in the next few months when the government is going to firm up the Ninth Malaysian Plan.

It is very crucial for the MCA to have a very good economic team in order to prepare and present the submissions because the Ninth Malaysian Plan will determine the success or failure of Vision 2020. It will also determine the future of the Chinese community in the next 10 years.