Three of the four MCA vice-presidents were returned unopposed as head of their divisions at the close of nominations today for the party's divisional elections this weekend.

The three were former health minister Dr Chua Jui Meng for the Bakri division, current Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek ( photo ) at Batu Pahat and Human Resources Minister Dr Fong Chan Onn at Alor Gajah.

Fu Ah Kiow, the remaining MCA vice-president, did not seek re-election at the Temerloh division.

Nominations closed at 8pm today at the party's 190 divisions nationwide and observers have predicted a close race at several key divisions come polling day.

The MCA's main body divisional assemblies and polling will take place on May 29 while the its youth and women's wing assemblies and elections will take place a day earlier.

Elections for the Bukit Mertajam division, however, have been postponed indefinitely pending a court decision on the allegation of 'phantom members' on the division's members' rolls.

Outlined below are some of the MCA divisions which are expected to see a battle between their nominees.

Tan Yee Kew vs Teh Kim Poh - Klang

Klang MP Dr Tan Yee Kew is to take on Pandamaran state assemblyperson Teh Kim Poh.

However, the position of the 52-year-old Tan remains uncertain following reports that she might be suspended for one year for allegedly breaching the party's code of ethics.

The party's disciplinary board has yet to announce its action against her. She was brought before the board over a video-recording she made of a scuffle which took place at an MCA meet on April 17.

The recording showed Teh's daughter, Teh Hooi Ching, being kicked in the back by a man in party uniform who was later shown being whisked away by Tan.

Yap Pian Hon vs Liew Yuen Keong - Serdang

Incumbent Yap Pian Hon, 62, ( photo ) the division's chief since 1996, will take on his protege, the division's youth chief, Liew Yuen Keong, 44.

Ata press conference yesterday, Yap alleged that several of the party's national leaders, who wanted to end his political career, had asked Liew to challenge him.

Vernacular press reports quoted Yap as telling the top leadership not to '... force him into a corner' and that the party would 'pay the price' for such an action.

Liew, in turn, has strongly denied that he was asked to challenge his 'sifu' ( master). He said Yap's statements were to fish for sympathy votes.

Chua Jui Meng (unopposed) - Bakri

The former health minister retained his divisional post uncontested. A party vice-president, he is widely-tipped to contest one of the two top posts at the party's coming national elections in August.

Chua was dropped from the cabinet line-up last year.

Dr Ting Chew Peh vs Ho Wai Cheong - Gopeng

MCA secretary-general Dr Ting Chew Peh ( photo ) is being challenged by Teja state assemblyperson Ho Wai Cheong for Gopeng division's top post.

Ting has been at the helm of the Gopeng division since 1990. The former housing and local government minister currently holds no position in the government.

Ho has been the Gopeng division deputy chief since 1996 for three terms. The 57-year-old politician said this is the time for him to move to a higher position.

Hon Choon Kim vs Lee Yuen Fong - Seremban

MCA deputy secretary-general Hon Choon Kim ( photo ) will face off with Temiang state assemblyperson Lee Yuen Fong for the Seremban division chief's post. Hon is the incumbent.

Hon, the deputy education minister and Negri Sembilan MCA chief, has headed the division since 1982.

Lee, or better known as 'Tiger Lee', is a five-term assemblyperson and vice-chief of the Rasah division.

The contest is believed to be linked to a 'proxy war' between Hon and the party's state deputy chief Dr Yeow Chai Tiam for control of MCA divisions in Negeri Sembilan. Lee is known to be a supporter of Yeow.