What the winners and losers say
"For me I don’t want to say much. The important thing now is that we must immediately implement our plans to transform the party.
The only way to repay the support given by the delegates is through immediate hard work."
Ong Tee Keat, newly elected MCA president
For me I don’t want to say much. The important thing now is that we must immediately implement our plans to transform the party.
The only way to repay the support given by the delegates is through immediate hard work.
Are you happy with the lineup?
All of us must accept that this is the decision of the party
On the election of new deputy president, Dr Chua Soi Lek.
The important thing was that there were no personal attacks, but merely a difference in opinion.
Chua Jui Meng, losing president candidate
Well, I'd tried again. I offered them my agenda and vision but they didn’t want it. That’s it. That’s life.
Does this mean your career has come to an end?
Politics will always be in my blood. There is no end to politics.
What do you think of your rival’s performance?
I congratulate him. It was a very transparent fight. The delegates wants his vision. All the best (to Tee Keat).
How do you read today’s result?
They prefer the old ways. They don’t want a new direction for the party and the nation which I amply illustrated and articulated very clearly in my agenda. Obviously, the majority of the delegates don’t want that.
Dr Chua Soi Lek, newly elected MCA deputy president:
I am confident that the new leadership will not disappoint MCA nor the Chinese community. I will work with the party president and the central committee members to ensure that the party is even more united and seek more for the Chinese community.
I have confidence that I can work with the president and the new central committee. We hope to reinvent and project a new image for MCA to fit the March 8 post-election scenario.
I always had confidence in the wisdom of the delegates. They know how to differentiate between my public performance and my private life (referring to his involvement in a sex video scandal).
Most importantly, after the party elections we must ensure the unity and stability of the party. During party elections, a lot things were said. After the elections, we must forget our differences to ensure we can reinvent the party efficiently.
Ong Ka Chuan, losing deputy president candidate
There will be a winner and a loser. So this is not unexpected. Anyone who is interested in contest must be prepared to win or lose.
Does it mean that a cabinet post does not guarantee a win in the party?
Seems that way.
Do you think that you lost due to the claims that you are in the ‘Ong Dynasty’?
You cannot say that. There are more than 2,000 delegates. What they think, you can’t really tell.
Do you think a ‘tsunami’ is happening in MCA?
I don’t think so. It is quiet balanced, particularly if you look at the central committee (lineup). Tsunami means it would be one-sided. We’ve got a balance of old and young. It’s a fair reflection of our age groups.
Dr Ng Yen Yen, newly elected MCA vice-president
It is a watershed outcome. The (glass) ceiling has been broken. It takes a lot of hard work. As long as we work hard, we will get support from our male comrades.
Kong Cho Ha, newly elected MCA vice-president
I was also voted in as the central committee in the last election with the highest vote. I have said before that everyone is equal, therefore I think that the four vice-presidents will have equal standing.
Those who are not voted in are due to the limited positions. I think they are also capable leaders and I hope they will continue to work for the party.
