Former MCA vice-president Dr Chua Soi Lek today announced that he will be contesting the post of deputy president in the party elections on Oct 18.

chua soi lek annouce mca deputy president post contest 170908 03The former health minister will now face MCA secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan for the number two post.

"I was the vice-president before. Today, I am going for the number two post and it is a step up," he said, adding that he would cooperate with any party leader who shared his vision for the party.

This contest is set to be Chua's bid for a political comeback after his resignation from all party and government post early this year over his involvement in a sex-tape scandal.

Previously it was speculated that he would go for the top post but it is learnt that Chua had wanted to avoid a three-cornered fight for the party presidency.

Another former vice-president and former health minister Chua Jui Meng has said that he would contest for the MCA No 1 post, challenging incumbent vice-president Ong Tee Keat.

Incumbent president Ong Ka Ting and deputy president Chan Kong Choy are not seeking a re-election.

Ongs versus Chuas

Pundits are already describing the upcoming contest for the party leadership as a '2 Os vs 2 Cs' contest, with the Ongs - Tee Keat and Ka Chuan - battling the two Chuas - Jui Meng and Soi Lek.

mca party election president and deputy president post 2008Party leader Ka Ting has thrown his support behind Tee Keat and elder brother Ka Chuan - both of whom are cabinet ministers - while the two Chuas are seen to as outsiders.

However, as party veterans and former ministers, both Chuas are expected to give the Ongs a tough fight.

Chua also told reporters that he was expecting attacks from his rivals, including the possibility of the circulation of fakes VCDs of him.

"You do not need a rocket scientist to identify the reasons for this circulation or who is behind it.

"Some are all out to taint me. I announce my candidacy today and tomorrow the rumours on DVDs will resurface. They will churn out fake VCDs, fake photographs and everything fake.

"There has been silence (on the DVDs) in the last eight months," he said, referring to the sex VCD which featured him and an unidentified woman that was leaked out by unknown persons late least year.

Chua also unveiled his manifesto at the press conference, themed "Be the force of change: Real courage, real politics".