special report Rejuvenation has been the name of the game in Barisan Nasional's Chinese-based party MCA, as it prepares for the next general election.

It has been party president Ong Ka Ting's policy to bring in new blood since he took over the reins in 2003.

However, the recent recruitment of political freshmen and Ong's latest speech on "retiring with honour" have sent even stronger signals to veterans to voluntarily retire or they will be axed as election candidates.

The Chinese media has been speculating that as many as 11 - or one-third - of the party's members of Parliament could be dropped.

The biggest name mentioned in terms of retirement is vice-president Fong Chan Onn (Alor Gajah), who is completing two terms in office - during this time he has been the human resources minister. Party regulations introduced in 2005 prevent him from seeking a third term.

Kuala Lumpur liaison chief and Deputy Home Minister Tan Chai Ho (Bandar Tun Razak) is also expected to quit, a decision already made by former party treasurer Hew See Tong (Kampar).

Several other leaders will be dropped as candidates for different reasons - some lost in the last party elections in 2005, while others are known to have health problems or no longer in the mainstream of party politics.

They include former vice-president Chua Jui Meng (Bakri), Loh Seng Kok (Kelana Jaya), Tan Yee Kew (Klang), Ting Chew Peh (Gopeng), Yap Pian Hon (Serdang), Goh Siow Huat (Rasah), Lim Bee Kau (Padang Serai) and Loke Yuen Yow (Tanjung Malim).

Others will be allowed to defend their seats, but may not be appointed to public office because they lost out in the latest round of reshuffling in their state liaison committees.

A party source named them as vice-president and Deputy Tourism Minister Donald Lim Siang Chai (Petaling Jaya Selatan), Deputy Internal Security Minister Fu Ah Kiow (Kuantan) and Deputy Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Wong Kam Hoong (Bayan Baru).

Three obstacles

However, Ong may not have it all his own way in replacing these leaders. One major obstacle could be thrown up by vice-president Dr Chua Soi Lek (Labis), who is known to be ambitious.

Soi Lek (left) may challenge deputy president Chan Kong Choy (right), who is considered to be loyal to Ong, for the No. 2 post in the next party election, which has been postponed to after the general election.

Chua enjoys strong grassroots support and is said to have the backing of former president Dr Ling Liong Sik, who brought up the ranks. His chances of success are therefore deemed to be good.

Party sources said Ong's main worry is that, should he replace some of the current leaders, they may 'defect' to Soi Lek's faction, thereby strengthening his influence.

All eyes will be on the vocal Jui Meng, should he face the axe. His influence among the grassroots in northern Johor has not waned, although he took on Ong for the presidency in 2005 and lost.

Should a relatively new party member be named as candidate in the Bakri parliamentary seat, the two Chuas could well forge an alliance that controls Johor, since Soi Lek's stronghold is in the south of the state.

Sources see a second obstacle in the clear swing of Chinese voters to the opposition, as indicated in a survey conducted by the Merdeka Centre.

Their analysis is that MCA could come under pressure from urban-based Chinese voters in Penang, Perak, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, who have been severely affected by increases in the price of fuel and toll rates.

A third problem for MCA to overcome is that voters in Johor were badly affected by drastic flooding earlier this year, while the crime rate in the state is increasingly a concern.

Cagey comments

When contacted, several of the leaders mentioned by name would not confirm the speculation, generally saying that this was a sensitive issue. They referred malaysiakini to Ong.

Yap refused to comment, stressing that he does not have any authority to decide candidacy.

Ting, too, said he would let the party decide, adding that "the president can decide all matters" under the party constitution. He denied that his recent criticism of MCA leaders - that they did not have the courage to contest in opposition-held Chinese-majority seats - arose out of self-interest to keep his seat.

Jui Meng also said it was too early to reveal his decision.

"We have a good relationship," he responded, when asked if Soi Lek's influence would affect his chances.

Yee Kew, who is parliamentary secretary to the international trade and industry ministry, said she is concentrating on her duties.

"I will do my best to serve my constituency and perform my duties. I really don't bother about rumours, because I am the one who knows best about myself," she said.

Lim said he "doesn't know" what will happen and suggested that the question be posed to Ong.


Tomorrow: Rise of the Young Turks