The silencing of Chua

comment Seasoned observers believe that, in politics, you cannot fake it when it comes to concealing a political motive or by burying a particular agenda under a decision made for the ‘common good’.

In MCA, this is even more obvious because of disquiet between its president Ong Tee Keat and his deputy Dr Chua Soi Lek - and strengthened by a decision last week that appears to curtail the latter’s vocal comments on party and government matters.

All bureau chiefs - and this includes Chua (right) as head of the party’s Government Policy Monitoring bureau - are now required to seek prior endorsement from the presidential council before issuing press releases.

In strategic terms, this can only be another step back. Certainly, it will further alienate Chua’s staunch supporters who interpret the directive as a gag order to curb his political freedom.

The ‘marginalisation’ of Chua began when Ong did not appoint him to any major party posts, including that of a state leader, after the MCA elections last October.

Critics argue that the directive will dampen the party’s intention to be bolder in tackling social injustice and poor governance, given the battering it received in the general election last March.

According to a source close to Ong (left), however, the directive is “a sound decision”.

“Press releases by bureaus that touch on government policies or issues, particularly involving ministers from other Barisan Nasional component parties, are also within its purview,” the source said.

“Any views or judgment made are often taken as the party’s stand. Hence, the leadership is taking a more cautious approach.”

The source further said the presidential council has advised bureau chiefs to first check the facts on contentious issues or government policies, or even carry out a survey before arriving at conclusions.

Chua’s hidden agenda?

Coming on the heels of verbal attacks between Ong and Chua in the media and on their personal blog-spots, the directive has undoubtedly touched raw nerves and weakened an already fragile working relationship between the two.

In recent weeks, Chua has stepped up his criticism of certain government policies, seemingly against the health ministry as a key target.

Chua had previously held the health minister’s portfolio until he resigned in January last year, following the revelation of a sex scandal. He was replaced by Liow Tiong Lai (left), known to be a loyal supporter of Ong.

The presidential council’s move has reopened internal arguments and led to further criticism.

“This has never happen before in the party’s history,” said a bureau member.

“If the president has no confidence in the bureau chief, why appoint him (Chua) in the first place? The president might as well direct all bureau chiefs to take instructions from him (Ong).”

However, moderates in the party believe that the move is purely a tactical move to limit Chua’s hidden agenda - to launch attacks against MCA-led ministries for the sake of personal publicity.

They do not believe that it will set the party back by a decade, returning its ‘silent days’ under former president Ong Ka Ting.