New MCA deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek has promised to be an agent of change in the party, to bring about the real change desired by the Chinese community.

Writing in his blog five days after winning the post, Chua said all winning candidates must remember what was promised to the grassroots and delegates.

mca agm 181008 chua soi lek “My achievement in winning the MCA deputy presidency has been a most humbling experience in that it comes with the responsibility of carrying the hopes of all MCA members in rejuvenating our party,” he wrote in his blog on Wednesday.

He also said that his victory is a sign that members want change.

“The members have spoken. The message is loud and clear. They have rejected empire building. They have rejected a weak leadership. They want a more vocal leadership.

“The members want to have an equal say in how the Barisan Nasional government is administered. We are not here to challenge Umno, but we must become partners again in governance.”

Chua’s victory is being seen as an amazing comeback for a politician who had been forced to quit all party and government posts 10 months ago, due to revelations about his involvement in a sex scandal.

He had been forced to quit his posts as a party vice-president, health minister and MP for Labis, but he had also attributed the exposé to political rivalry.

His victory has put him back on the pedestal of power and speculation is circulating that he could be staking a comeback to the cabinet.

Break from blogging

Chua also pledged to set aside all differences and work closely with all the members of the senior leadership, including newly-elected president Ong Tee Keat.

mca agm 181008 audience “We must work hard to change the negative perception a substantial number in the Chinese community have of us. We cannot just change MCA but (must) also work to reform BN,” he wrote.

“We must become a real political party again to make real political changes within BN. That is what the people of Malaysia demand.

“They want better and cleaner governance. We must start by ensuring all of the MCA ministers run the most efficient and most effective ministries.”.

He signed off by stating that he would not post blogs for two weeks as he needs time to recharge his batteries.

In the party polls last Saturday, ‘underdog’ Chua emerged as a surprise winner in a close fight, with a wafer-thin majority of 114 votes.

He defeated three other candidates, including then secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan, and is now tipped to replace the latter as housing and local government minister.