MCA members keen to pursue leadership positions in the party have been told by their president that they must possess a high degree of responsibility and must not be power crazy.

Ong Ka Ting said these two traits should be part of the new culture in the MCA in its efforts to get back Chinese support for the party.

Officiating the Terengganu MCA annual general meeting in Kuala Terengganu yesterday, Ong said his decision not to defend his president's post in next month's party polls was due to being responsible for the party's poor showing in the March 8 general election.

He said the Chinese community still felt that there were some party leaders who were more interested in scrambling for high party posts rather than striving to revive the party.

ong ka ting mca leaders pc 050808 02 "Due to that, I wanted to set an example of not taking up any Cabinet post to show that MCA leaders are not as perceived by the Chinese community, he said in a Bernama report.

Champion Chinese causes

Ong said if party leaders hurled accusations against each other on failures in the past general election without taking responsibility, it will not help rehabilitate the party to regain support for the party.

"Even though I am not a minister now I still have to ensure the party functions smoothly.

"We will continue championing Chinese causes and I am confident MCA will get back Chinese support in time to come," he said.

He said the MCA of today will not readily agree with anyone if in its view something was not right.

MCA will hold its party elections on October 18 and the tussle for key posts is expected to be intense.

So far, two leaders, Ong Tee Keat and Chua Jui Meng, had confirmed that they would be vying for the president’s post.

Ong Ka Chuan and Dr Chua Soi Lek are going for No 2 while the contest for vice-presidents and central committee seats is expected to draw a crowded field.