Chua Soi Lek’s Plan B – the Malaysia Cinta Party?

Malaysian Mirror
Farah Azreen

KUALA LUMPUR – Sacked MCA deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek is keeping his options open if he fails in his bid to be reinstated in the party.

A well-placed source in his camp said one ‘Plan B‘ option would be to form a new party. A name, Malaysia Cinta Party, has been suggested.

If the party faces registration difficulties, Chua and his supporters could join an existing BN party with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on top of the list.

Joining PKR another option

According to the source, Chua’s group would prefer to form a new party but they are painfully aware that their proposed Malaysia Cinta Party, even if it is registered, would face objections from other coalition partners.

The BN coalition will not admit any new party without the full agreement of all its partners. MCA will likely object should it comes to that just as MIC had vehemently opposed the Indian Progressive Front from entering BN.

Alternatively, the source said, Chua and his group may even join an opposition party. In fact, it is an open secret that Chua had been talking to PKR in the past but he was beaten to the tape by another Chua from Johore – Jimmy Chua Jui Meng.

“Jui Meng seems to have settled down comfortably with Anwar Ibrahim and PKR. The entry of Soi Lek will rock the PKR boat as Jui Meng and Soi Lek are not known to be allies during their MCA days. So joining PKR may not be an option for Soi Lek now,” he said.

When contacted, a Selangor PKR leader commented that it may not be such a good idea for the party to accept Soi Lek.

“It’s not the Chua Jui Meng factor alone. It’s more Soi Lek’s tainted past. You ask the PPP whether they will invite DP Vijandran to join them,” he said, stressing that he was only expressing his personal opinion.

“The top PKR leadership may think differently. They may consider that Soi Lek’s son is the MP for Labis and an additional parliamentary seat is an added boost for PKR,” he added.

Many have switched camp

Dr Chua’s group seems ready to embark on their Plan B now as things do not look too bright for them in their fight with MCA president Ong Tee Keat.

It is said that the group has received unfavourable reports on the ground of party delegates who have decided to switch camp.

Originally, they were ready to sign for Chua’s requisition for a party EGM but after hearing Ong’s explanation, they were said to be having second thoughts about doing so.

Realising that the end could be near for Chua and his supporters in the MCA, it is only politically astute for them to put their Plan B in motion.