Question mark over Ong-Chua unity
Kuek Ser Kuang KengPublished: Nov 5, 2009 1:23 PM | Updated: Nov 5, 2009 3:34 PM
MCA president Ong Tee Keat and reinstated deputy president Chua Soi Lek may have forged an uneasy truce for political expediency.
MCA president Ong Tee Keat and reinstated deputy president Chua Soi Lek may have forged an uneasy truce for political expediency.
But political observer Tang Ah Chai (left)said that the Ong-Chua unity plan faces three main challenges: Functional issues, future party elections and the 13th general election.
First is whether the party can function smoothly, which means, will orders from the party central be obeyed and carried out by party organs at local and states levels?
Tang pointed out that there is also huge possibility that the next party election might see a bigger split.
Finally, the MCA has to face the Chinese community at large to gauge if the new leadership will be accepted.
Tang said that Ong and Chua achieved their own interests through the latest reshuffle in party posts: Ong stays on as president, Chua reinstated and his men securing a place in the central committee.
As the central committee is now under Ong and Chua's control, the call for an EGM by Liow loyalists may not be approved by the central committee.
Ong, on Tuesday, dismissed Liow's camp's call for a fresh EGM as being against the party constitution.
Wheeling and dealing bury pledges
Tang is, nevertheless, of the opinion that there is room for the three parties to strike a compromise if Ong can accommodate the Liow camp's interest.
He said the protracted internal fight has damaged the MCA leaders' image and credibility among voters.
"From the Oct 10 EGM until the present moment, promises and decisions have not been fulfilled or implemented and as a result they running short on credibility.
"For example, Ong declared before the EGM that even if he lost by one vote the no-confidence resolution, he will resign as president. He has gone back on his word," said Tang.
Many of the central committee members pledged to follow in Ong's footsteps before the EGM, but they too, went back on their promise.
"There is a credibility crisis and everyone is avoiding the core question. They are unable to give a rational explanation for their flip-flop."
Another political observer Phoon Wing Keong thinks that the durability of Ong-Chua cooperation is questionable.
Second fiddle not attractive option
Phoon (right) pointed out that Chua has successfully staged a strong come back and the MCA power center is shifting towards him. Ong is aware of this and needs Chua to hang on as president.
"To retaliate against those who tried to force him out, Ong had to release most of his resources to Chua's camp, even ditching his own man.
In view of such developments, and Ong being the uncompromising character that he is, peace may not prevail for long.
"Ong has this non compromising trait, whether he will be content to play second fiddle to Chua and to what extent is open to question," said Phoon.
Phoon forecast that Ong may make up with some members of Liow's camp in face of the Chua's growing influence.
"Ong stands to lose heavily. For now, he will go along with the uneasy truce with Chua, taking a break and weeding out his enemies until the next general election. "
As for Liow, Phoon said the reason for his failure is Umno. "It betrayed Liow's camp and the ROS played a crucial role in it to bring about the current scenario."
"Liow's camp has lost everything. Umno chose to maintain the status quo, it wanted the Ong-Chua formula, so the ROS issued a letter confirming Chua as the deputy president just hours before the central committee meeting," said Phoon.
On Liow taking the issue to court, Phoon sees no hope at all.
"The ROC's decision is a political one. It's naïve of him to think political disputes can be resolved through legal means. Does Liow really think that the courts are just?" he asked.
But political observer Tang Ah Chai (left)said that the Ong-Chua unity plan faces three main challenges: Functional issues, future party elections and the 13th general election.First is whether the party can function smoothly, which means, will orders from the party central be obeyed and carried out by party organs at local and states levels?
Tang pointed out that there is also huge possibility that the next party election might see a bigger split.
Finally, the MCA has to face the Chinese community at large to gauge if the new leadership will be accepted.
Tang said that Ong and Chua achieved their own interests through the latest reshuffle in party posts: Ong stays on as president, Chua reinstated and his men securing a place in the central committee.
As the central committee is now under Ong and Chua's control, the call for an EGM by Liow loyalists may not be approved by the central committee.
Ong, on Tuesday, dismissed Liow's camp's call for a fresh EGM as being against the party constitution.
Wheeling and dealing bury pledges
Tang is, nevertheless, of the opinion that there is room for the three parties to strike a compromise if Ong can accommodate the Liow camp's interest.
He said the protracted internal fight has damaged the MCA leaders' image and credibility among voters.
"From the Oct 10 EGM until the present moment, promises and decisions have not been fulfilled or implemented and as a result they running short on credibility.
"For example, Ong declared before the EGM that even if he lost by one vote the no-confidence resolution, he will resign as president. He has gone back on his word," said Tang.
Many of the central committee members pledged to follow in Ong's footsteps before the EGM, but they too, went back on their promise.
"There is a credibility crisis and everyone is avoiding the core question. They are unable to give a rational explanation for their flip-flop."
Another political observer Phoon Wing Keong thinks that the durability of Ong-Chua cooperation is questionable.
Second fiddle not attractive option
Phoon (right) pointed out that Chua has successfully staged a strong come back and the MCA power center is shifting towards him. Ong is aware of this and needs Chua to hang on as president."To retaliate against those who tried to force him out, Ong had to release most of his resources to Chua's camp, even ditching his own man.
In view of such developments, and Ong being the uncompromising character that he is, peace may not prevail for long.
"Ong has this non compromising trait, whether he will be content to play second fiddle to Chua and to what extent is open to question," said Phoon.
Phoon forecast that Ong may make up with some members of Liow's camp in face of the Chua's growing influence.
"Ong stands to lose heavily. For now, he will go along with the uneasy truce with Chua, taking a break and weeding out his enemies until the next general election. "As for Liow, Phoon said the reason for his failure is Umno. "It betrayed Liow's camp and the ROS played a crucial role in it to bring about the current scenario."
"Liow's camp has lost everything. Umno chose to maintain the status quo, it wanted the Ong-Chua formula, so the ROS issued a letter confirming Chua as the deputy president just hours before the central committee meeting," said Phoon.
On Liow taking the issue to court, Phoon sees no hope at all.
"The ROC's decision is a political one. It's naïve of him to think political disputes can be resolved through legal means. Does Liow really think that the courts are just?" he asked.
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