The appointments to the MCA central executive committee made by party president Ong Tee Keat was nothing but bold. He has to consolidate his grip over the party in view of a recalcitrant deputy by appointing those he can trust to key party positions and state leadership.

It is no secret that Ong and his deputy, Dr Chua Soi Lek, are no political buddies. Hardly three days after the new line-up, Chua appeared to be on the collision course with Ong in his interview with Chinese-language Sin Chew Daily .