Will a 'strengthened' Soi Lek retaliate?
Kuek Ser Kuang KengPublished: Jun 24, 2009 9:13 AM | Updated: Jun 24, 2009 10:37 AM
After being marginalised by his president for seven months, MCA deputy president Chua Soi Lek appears to be back 'in power' after he was made the BN chief coordinator by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to oversee the states and seats won by the opposition.
After being marginalised by his president for seven months, MCA deputy president Chua Soi Lek appears to be back “in power” after he was made the BN chief coordinator by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to oversee the states and seats won by the opposition.
This had boosted the morale of his supporters who have been longing for Chua to make a political comeback.
They now believed Chua, in his new post, could gather his supporters in his home state of Johor to retaliate against his enemies within MCA.
Although yet to officially move into his new office on the 23th floor of Putra World Trade Centre, the embattled politician had started his new portfolio by holding the first BN coordinating meeting in Bakri, Johor last Saturday.
Today, he will hold the second coordinating meeting in Sungai Petani, Kedah. All BN local leaders and representatives were called to attend the meetings.
Both Bakri and Sungai Petani were BN stronghold until the last general election. According to Najib, Chua's main task is to strengthen BN machinery in the four states ruled by Pakatan Rakyat, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Johor.
New task lifts Chua's popularity
However, Chua told reporters that he was also assigned to convene BN coordinating meetings in all 84 Parliament and state seats contested by MCA but lost to the opposition.
This new task had raised eyebrows within the party as well as lifted his popularity in MCA.
This was reflected by his recent busy schedule. According to Chua's personal blog, he was invited to officiate the annual general meeting (AGM) of six MCA divisions in the past four days.
Pulai MCA division chief Low Teh Hian, a Chua's staunch supporter told Malaysiakini yesterday, the supporters rejoiced after Chua was appointed to the new post.
“At least he has a post to carry out his political task.”
He said Johor being the starting point for Chua's political career, is the best base for Chua to make a comeback.
Chua came from Batu Pahat in Johor, a state where he was elected as state assemblyperson for four consecutive terms, including three terms of state executive councillor. He also helmed the Johor MCA for six years.
Good relationship with Johor Umno
Moreover, Chua enjoyed good relationship with Johor Umno leaders including Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman.
Although he was elected as MCA deputy president in party polls last October, he was not assigned to any key post either in the party or government by MCA president Ong Tee Keat.
Instead, Ong from Selangor, appointed himself as Johor MCA chief after the party polls. Chua’s supporters see this as a move to contain his influence in the BN stronghold state.
With Chua's new appointment, the table is now turned against Ong with Chua's supporters becoming more outspoken in launching attacks at Ong.
A resolution was passed at last Sunday’s Pulai division AGM, officiated by Chua, to demand that Johor MCA should be led by a local leader.
During the AGM, Low openly slammed Ong for marginalising Chua. He said Ong was afraid that Chua would replace him. The speech had received wide coverage in the Chinese dailies.
According to political observer Koh Kok Wee, Chua had won at least two battles over Ong in Johor recently.
First was the appointment of Johor MCA local councillors last month.
Second was the wide coverage given to Chua recently by Chinese dailies, a signal that the media had recognised Chua's important role in MCA politics, said Koh who is also a media practitioner.
In possession of Imperial Sword?
Koh commented that apparently Chua does have the “Shang Fang Bao Jian” (the Chinese Imperial Sword which was awarded by the Emperor that represents the highest authority) because he directly reports to the Premier.
“In other words, his status is higher than the MCA president.”
However, Koh raised another more important question – whether Chua is given the power to allocate resources.
“If he just acts as Najib's messenger to pacify infighting within the BN without real power, then this is a very difficult task for him.”
According to media reports, Chua claimed he could coordinate resources from state and federal government to help local BN in resolving local issues.
This had boosted the morale of his supporters who have been longing for Chua to make a political comeback. They now believed Chua, in his new post, could gather his supporters in his home state of Johor to retaliate against his enemies within MCA.
Although yet to officially move into his new office on the 23th floor of Putra World Trade Centre, the embattled politician had started his new portfolio by holding the first BN coordinating meeting in Bakri, Johor last Saturday.
Today, he will hold the second coordinating meeting in Sungai Petani, Kedah. All BN local leaders and representatives were called to attend the meetings.
Both Bakri and Sungai Petani were BN stronghold until the last general election. According to Najib, Chua's main task is to strengthen BN machinery in the four states ruled by Pakatan Rakyat, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Johor.
New task lifts Chua's popularity
However, Chua told reporters that he was also assigned to convene BN coordinating meetings in all 84 Parliament and state seats contested by MCA but lost to the opposition.
This new task had raised eyebrows within the party as well as lifted his popularity in MCA.
This was reflected by his recent busy schedule. According to Chua's personal blog, he was invited to officiate the annual general meeting (AGM) of six MCA divisions in the past four days.
Pulai MCA division chief Low Teh Hian, a Chua's staunch supporter told Malaysiakini yesterday, the supporters rejoiced after Chua was appointed to the new post.
“At least he has a post to carry out his political task.”
He said Johor being the starting point for Chua's political career, is the best base for Chua to make a comeback.
Chua came from Batu Pahat in Johor, a state where he was elected as state assemblyperson for four consecutive terms, including three terms of state executive councillor. He also helmed the Johor MCA for six years.
Good relationship with Johor Umno
Moreover, Chua enjoyed good relationship with Johor Umno leaders including Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman.
Although he was elected as MCA deputy president in party polls last October, he was not assigned to any key post either in the party or government by MCA president Ong Tee Keat.
Instead, Ong from Selangor, appointed himself as Johor MCA chief after the party polls. Chua’s supporters see this as a move to contain his influence in the BN stronghold state.With Chua's new appointment, the table is now turned against Ong with Chua's supporters becoming more outspoken in launching attacks at Ong.
A resolution was passed at last Sunday’s Pulai division AGM, officiated by Chua, to demand that Johor MCA should be led by a local leader.
During the AGM, Low openly slammed Ong for marginalising Chua. He said Ong was afraid that Chua would replace him. The speech had received wide coverage in the Chinese dailies.
According to political observer Koh Kok Wee, Chua had won at least two battles over Ong in Johor recently.
First was the appointment of Johor MCA local councillors last month.
Second was the wide coverage given to Chua recently by Chinese dailies, a signal that the media had recognised Chua's important role in MCA politics, said Koh who is also a media practitioner.
In possession of Imperial Sword?
Koh commented that apparently Chua does have the “Shang Fang Bao Jian” (the Chinese Imperial Sword which was awarded by the Emperor that represents the highest authority) because he directly reports to the Premier.
“In other words, his status is higher than the MCA president.”
However, Koh raised another more important question – whether Chua is given the power to allocate resources.
“If he just acts as Najib's messenger to pacify infighting within the BN without real power, then this is a very difficult task for him.”
According to media reports, Chua claimed he could coordinate resources from state and federal government to help local BN in resolving local issues.
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