Talk is intensifying that two MCA ministers will be dropped from their cabinet posts, as the party finally moves to re-jig its line-up in government following its elections last October.

Four posts involving deputy ministers will also be reviewed, according to sources.

ong tee keat and mca Party president Ong Tee Keat (left) and Liow Tiong Lai are expected to retain their respective portfolios as transport and health minister respectively.

However, Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Chuan and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Ng Yen Yen are "unlikely" to keep their posts.

While this remains to be confirmed, the speculation appears sound because of the reasons cited for their likely departure.

ong ka chuan ng yen yen Ka Chuan (left) was defeated in his bid to become deputy president while Ng (right) has already served her full term of nine years as former Wanita MCA chief. She is currently serving her first term as an elected vice-president and cabinet minister.

Insiders believe that Tee Keat will firm up his decisions next month, but that the changes may not take place before April or even as late as May.

This would coincide with an anticipated cabinet reshuffle by incoming premier Najib Abdul Razak, who will take over from Abdullah Ahmad Badawi late next month after the Umno general assembly and elections.

Much will also depend on whether Najib chooses to reinstate the post of 'parliamentary secretary', which Abdullah had dropped after the general election last March in a bid to trim the size of the cabinet.

Anxiety for some

MCA's changes are also expected to affect deputy ministers Chor Chee Heung (Home Ministry) and Teng Boon Soon (Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry).

ong ka ting 02 The other two - Hou Kok Chung (Higher Education) and Wee Jeck Seng (Youth and Sports) had been recommended by former president Ong Ka Ting (right) . This leaves them wide open to uncertainty.

It is the prerogative of the party president to recommend changes and he is not obliged to justify his decisions, as Tee Keat has previously pointed out.

"All appointments are based on the party constitutional powers vested in me. I don’t need to explain my prime considerations. My rationale is not meant to be shared. No need to ask 'why this, why that?'," was his terse response to a question about intended changes.

This has not stopped some pundits and Chinese dailies from bandying names about. If they are to be believed, then:

  • Perak MCA chief Kong Cho Ha, currently deputy finance minister, could be promoted to a full minister to replace Ka Chuan.

  • Wanita chief Chew Mei Fun and Negri Sembilan liaison head Yeow Chai Thiam look set to climb the political ladder, at least as senators.

  • Youth chief Wee Ka Siong (Education) could be promoted to a full minister, although unlikely to replace Ng.

  • Treasurer and senator Tee Hock Seng and backbenchers Lee Chee Leong (Kampar), Chua Tee Yong (Labis) and Tan Ah Eng (Gelang Patah) could be in with a shout.

chua soi lek But the single persistent question remains over the outlook for deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek, the former health minister.

Despite recent official clarification that he and Tee Keat are not as loggerheads as widely perceived, he may find it difficult to get back into the cabinet for another reason.

His admitted involvement in a sex scandal has caused many, including Tee Keat, to take the high moral ground against his return to a government post.

Seasoned observers may have written off Chua's chances, but a hopeful few are anxiously awaiting the moment of truth.