Despite being fiercely critical of each other during the run-up to the MCA polls, Ong Tee Keat and Dr Chua Soi Lek found themselves ending up as partners after clinching the party presidency and deputy presidency respectively.

Doomsayers are already predicting a clash of styles due to the 'ying' or headstrong characteristics of the duo, whose combined surnames have also have been given the phonetic pun 'weng chai' - which is Mandarin for the kangkung vegetable.

But in his speech to wind up the presidential policy speech delivered by Ong, Chua was quick to offer the olive branch.

mca agm 181008 chua soi lek ong tee keat “The number two in the party is just that. Therefore, I know what to do,” said Chua, in an apparent acknowledgment of Ong’s leadership.

“The kangkung is a good vegetable. Just as long as no one has bad intentions and put in too much belacan while frying it, this dish should be okay,” he added.

However, when it was Ong’s turn to take the podium, he too used the kangkung analogy to hint about his expectations of his No 2.

“Some people say we are both 'ying'. But ‘ying’ doesn’t mean we are rude and stubborn. We must have sounded reasonable. Whether the kangkung is nice to eat, or not, would depend on how it is prepared,” was his cryptic response to Chua's olive branch.

Well received by delegates

Ong also said at the end of the day, whether the kangkund dish was tasty would depend on the skill of the “cooks” - in reference to the newly-elected central committee and party delegates.

mca agm 191008 ong tee keat pc Though the coded messages was lost on casual observers, both Ong and Chua received rousing ovations.

In his winding-up speech, Ong also said the new leadership must immediately get down to work and prioritise resolving public interest issues.

As for Chua, he believes that after the party’s dismal performance in the March 8 general elections, the MCA would have to undertake serious reform or “close shop”.

Chua also said the party needed to move away from just championing the Chinese community and should work towards becoming more inclusive to other communities.