news analysis Nothing is more admirable in politics than a short memory. It has barely been a month since the MCA election campaign which had drummed up promises of reform.

Yet certain quarters in Perak have launched a signature campaign to resurrect support for former secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan who was defeated in the contest for deputy president.

mca new cabinet member 180308 ong ka chuan Somewhat metaphorically clinging to a political cliff-edge, Ka Chuan is still uncertain as to whether he will be dropped as housing and local government minister, having lost to arch-rival Dr Chua Soi Lek in a four-corner fight on Oct 18.

Ka Chuan is Tanjong Malim MP but his political career has taken a karmic dive. This time round, he is without the political support of younger brother, former president Ka Ting.

In 2005. Ka Ting had kept him afloat by appointing him secretary-general even after he had lost the Batu Gajah parliamentary seat in the 2004 general election.

Ka Chuan’s desperate political situation has led to a simple logic among his rivals in the party. They claim that he has no option but to orchestrate yet another show of support in the Perak Youth wing so that he can either be appointed as MCA secretary-general or keep his ministerial post.

So, when Perak Youth Chief Dr Mah Hang Soon whipped up the support of 19 divisional youth chiefs out of the 24 in the state. They have insisted that Ka Chuan be given a significant role in the party and government.

This has naturally drawn widespread disapproval from the party ranks, and the Chinese community is closely watching the developments as well.

Mah has claimed that Ka Chuan has extensive experience in managing party and national matters and that this legitimises the signature campaign, which some senior leaders view as ridiculous, irksome and unwarranted.

ong tee keat interview 210708 02 Rightly or wrongly, they also interpret Mah’s move as a form of political pressure on new party president Ong Tee Keat (left) to give Ka Chuan a prominent party or government post.

Sharp criticism has been directed against Mah, deemed a political greenhorn who made a comeback this year in regaining the Chenderiang state seat which he lost in the 2004 general election.

Although he has just been elected national deputy Youth chief, many consider Mah to be the new kid on the block in terms of political maturity and ability to handle realpolitik.

Some detractors from Perak accuse Mah of having initiated the signature campaign to repay political dues to Ka Chuan, who had previously propped him up in the youth election. This had led to the defeat of his rival Ling Hee Leong, son of former president Dr Ling Liong Sik, in the contest for Perak Youth chief.

Distortion of principles

Five Perak Youth divisions, however, boycotted the signature campaign - Batu Gajah, Lumut, Bagan Datuk, Teluk Intan and Tambun.

Critics see Mah’s move as distorting the outcome of a democratic election process and derailing the promised reform in the core values at leadership level.

Is it politically correct to reappoint a candidate rejected by central delegates to an important party post or to recommend him for a government post, when those elected and who are competent are ignored?

The argument finds a parallel in US president Theodore Roosevelt’s view that the most practical kind of politics are the “politics of decency”.

Those against Mah’s move argue that even politicians with vast experience (apparently referring to Ka Chuan) should abide by political decency and make a gracious exit - which includes declining any post offered.

Respecting the delegates’ decision is a fundamental requirement for those aspiring to public office.

mca anti ong pc 140408 theng bok “Manipulating support from a minority group to go against democratic principles renders the election process meaningless,” said ‘Save MCA’ activist Theng Book (right) .

Hee Leong said: “Losers should take a back seat and should respect the wishes of delegates. Ka Chuan should step down. When I was defeated in the Perak Youth elections, I decided not to contest at the national level.

“Ka Chuan, as a senior leader with vast experience, should show exemplary leadership qualities by stepping down voluntarily, to show that he respects the election process.”

A Federal Territories Youth divisional leader said the new leadership should reject political pressure.

“Tee Keat will lose a lot of support if he is seen as giving way to concocted support (for an individual). The party must walk the talk on reforms (and strengthen leadership values),” he said.

There is also the argument that old-fashioned politicking ought to be discarded - those with an outdated mindset or who cannot think out of the box should step down.

“Ka Ting has set a good example for taking accountability and responsibility for the party’s poor general election performance,” a party veteran said, in reference to the basic concept of leadership values.

Uncomfortable situation

The Chinese community is watching the changing of the guard according to Perak leader Thong Fah Chong.

He questioned how many of the 19 youth chiefs are central delegates and whether they can claim to truly represent grassroots sentiments in backing Ka Chuan’s retention.

thong fah chong 01 Citing an example of a former leader who had displayed leadership values and upheld political decency, Thong (left) recalled: “Former deputy president Michael Chen stepped down from party and government posts when he was defeated by Lee San Choon.

“That was the case in the past and no exceptions should made for current leaders. They must behave in accordance to democratic principles of party elections, as reflected in the party constitution.”

Others feel that the minority group should not be allowed to invade the collective psyche of delegates and political will of the new leaders in instituting reform, restoring leadership values and winning back public confidence.

ting chew peh interview 190208 generous “Defeat should be graciously accepted by individuals. The party cause should not rest on vested interests,” said former secretary-general Ting Chew Peh (right) .

“When I was defeated in my bid for the deputy presidency in 2005, I accepted the democratic decision of the delegates and did not ask for any post or to be retained in my government post. It was the same with Chua Jui Meng.”

Former Youth chief Yap Pian Hon observed: “They (Perak Youth wing) have the right to support any individual leader but it must respect the delegates’ decision. Ka Chuan’s defeat reflects the election results. Mah’s move may have embarrassed Ka Chuan and the party.

“The president should make wise and conscientious decisions, disregarding pressure from his peers or party ranks.”

Eric Wong, 33, a chartered accountant who has kept a close watch on the MCA elections said long service in politics does not automatically equate to the effectiveness or efficiency of an individual.

“Did the leader perform well in his ministry or help enhance the party’s image, in order to justify his continuing tenure? Many overstay by virtue of manipulation. There are so many examples of ideologically or intellectually bankrupt leaders in this country,” he noted.

While MCA ponders on the politics of “who gets what, when and why”, it would do well to consider a wisecrack by Irish politician Daniel O’ Connell: ‘Nothing is politically right when it is morally wrong’.