news feature

In a dazzling ballroom, guests dined and wined to the melodious tunes of a late Taiwanese singer. Many noticed nothing past the fanfare but to some, the night unveiled the making of a battle royale in MCA.

Some 2,000 people gathered at a hotel in Genting Highlands last night to attend a memorial concert for "Asia's songbird" Teresa Teng, which also saw the presence of MCA vice-president Chua Jui Meng.

The event was organised by the National Small and Medium Industries Consultative Centre, a body which provides financial assistance and consultation to SMI entrepreneurs of which Chua is the patron.

Chua landed in the limelight early this week when he was sacked as the party's Kedah state liaison chairman by MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik.

Many have described the sacking as a plot by Ling to curb Chua's growing influence and popularity among party members and within the Chinese community.

Apart from this, speculation is rife that Chua will challenge Ling for the presidential post in the party elections next year.

Though there have not been any explicit indication from Chua regarding the challenge, yesterday's function hinted that a battle could be imminent.

Key players

Seated next to Chua during the event, were national-level leaders of Chinese guilds and associations - key players in Chinese political aspirations.

They include president of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) Lim Guan Teik, and others from the Federation of Chinese Associations of Malaysia (FCAM) as well as various dialect clan associations.

ACCCIM and FCAM, governing mainly the economic and social affairs of ethnic Chinese, are known to be the leading umbrella groups to other Chinese organisations in the country.

Chua himself is the MCA Trade and Industry Development Bureau chief who has been dealing with the predominantly Chinese SMI entrepreneurial circle.

Intended or otherwise, Chua was clearly sending out a strong message: He has the backing of the Chinese businessmen, who control the economic pulse of the community.

"MCA cannot survive without the Chinese community. We should come united to help and support each other to ensure a better tomorrow and continuous support for Barisan Nasional," said the 58-year-old health minister in his welcoming speech.

Many took this as a signal that Chua was speaking in the tone of a classical MCA president emphasising the themes of unity, prosperity and support for the ruling coalition.

Meanwhile, political observers claim that the tension between MCA's 'Team A' and 'Team B' is becoming increasingly visible.

'Team B', popularly referred to as the 'Gang of Eight' comprises eight party central committee members including Chua and made its debut during MCA's acquisition of Nanyang Press Holdings, publisher of dailies Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press .

The controversial RM230 million-deal initiated by Ling, sparked off a volley of protests from the Chinese community, leading to a nationwide boycott campaign against the dailies which subsequently affected their sales.

Most of the 'Gang of Eight' were present yesterday: party deputy president Lim Ah Lek, Youth chief Ong Tee Keat, Wanita deputy chief Tan Yee Kew and CC member Dr Tang See Hang.

Chua even took the trouble to explain to the audience the whereabouts of those absent - vice-president Chan Kong Choy, CC members Wong Mook Leong and Fu Ah Kiow - and their reasons for "not being able to join us".

While none from the 'Team A' led by Ling turned up despite being invited.

Preliminary round

The highlight of the evening which caught the audience by surprise was Chua's second son, Victor, singing Just the way you are , with the score specifically dedicated to the 'Gang of eight'.

"The fuss in the past weeks was because there are people who do not want to see changes. If you are doing something good, don't let anything stand in your way, not even politics," Victor told the crowd.

However, what may happen from now till the end of this year is what many observers regard as "just the preliminary round".

Veteran members said from their previous experiences, that present leaders and their opponents would only make their stand and plans clear to the public next January, seven months before the party elections.

"Until next January, all the leaders will not cross swords too vigorously and only send out their messages in a subtle way," said a former division leader.

The music may have ended, but the political chair game has just begun. Whatever the outcome may be, one thing is for sure: from now to next August, MCA will hardly see a quiet moment.