As expected, Chew Mei Fun was elected as the new MCA Wanita deputy chairperson, defeating her relatively unknown challenger Tai Sim Yew by a large majority.

Chew garnered 1,230 votes while Tai, who is the Jinjang Utara Tambahan Sector A Wanita branch chief, secured 423 votes. There were 11 spoilt votes.

Chew ( photo, left ), a close ally of Wanita chairperson Dr Ng Yen Yen, replaced Dr Tan Yee Kew who was barred from contesting following her six-month suspension for breaching the party's code of ethics.

Met later, Chew, who is also the parliamentary secretary for the Women and Family Development Ministry, said she was happy with the victory despite her opponent garnering 30 percent of the votes.

"I am satisfied with the result. Losing 30 percent of the votes is not surprising in a contest," she told reporters.

'Be fair to me'

Meanwhile, Tai said the results were bittersweet for her.

"I am a little disappointed. But it was not too bad as this is my first attempt and I am unknown to many people," she added.

Asked if she was concerned about being sidelined from the party after this, Tai said she did not wish to speculate on the future.

"But I hope they will be fair to me," she added.

Previously, Tai had her appointment as MCA Kepong assistant secretary revoked after she declared her intention to challenge Chew.

She also denied that her decision to contest was related to the suspension of the incumbent deputy chief.

"I have nothing to do with Dr Tan. I came forward as an individual," she said.

The election result was announced at about 6pm by a representative of MCA's election steering committee chairperson, Yew Tiong Look.

As for the top post in the wing, Ng was returned unopposed while Lee Pit Chern, Tan Ah Eng, Chang Yok Ying and Lim Bee Kau won the four vice-president posts uncontested.

MCA Wanita polls - The winners and losers