KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Bernama) -- It will be a three-cornered fight for the president's post in the MCA poll this Sunday.
Incumbent Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and his predecessor, Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting, will face off with a "newcomer" for the post, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek who is also the former deputy president.
In expressing their confidence for the race, the trio who have had extensive experience in national politics had said that they have what it takes to manoeuvre the crisis-ridden party out of its current state.
One has pledged to continue with the transformation agenda and one claims that he has strong support from delegates while another is urging the central delegates to give the newcomer a chance to perform.
They also call for a clean and fair election.
Immediately after submitting his nomination papers, Tee Keat, who arrived at the nomination centre at Wisma MCA here at 3.30 pm today, told reporters that he will continue with in his campaign trail to gain support from the delegates.
He said he is also all ready to face the contest from his challengers.
"I have always been cautious, as I said earlier, non-confrontational, more importantly it is to share with my delegates what I mean by transformation, at the same time, they have the right to know what we have been doing for the past two years.
"I sum up the transformation, the achievement and work that we made in pursuit of transformation," he said, adding that he will also launch his election manifesto very soon.
The embattled president, who was blamed by many quarters to have caused the upheaval in the party that led to the re-election, was also asked about his confidence level in the race, and confidently said that after the election, he will focus to work untiringly on building the election machinery.
Tee Keat, who is also known as the "lone ranger" for his working style, has also refused to reveal whether he is pairing up with anyone in the election.
"In Malaysian politics, factions have always existed right from the start until now.
"I believe factional politics, without endeavouring to find a meeting point or common element in the interest of the party, is not constructive," he said.
As for Ka Ting, he said his comeback has been driven by conscience to save the party and that most delegates would understand that.
"I am offering myself to stabilise and re-unite the party since the party has gone into such trying time within the last one year. So with that I think our delegates have their wisdom and they can think of the larger picture," he said.
The two-term former president had been credited for uniting the party after the chaotic period at the end of Tun Ling Liong Sik-Tan Sri Lim Ah Lek era, but had unfortunately led the party into its biggest loss in last general election, where he resigned subsequently.
"There should be a good fighting chance, but I don't take it lightly. The more (delegates) agree with me the better, I accept it as a MCA team," Ka Ting told reporters at the nomination centre.
In acknowledging that the fight will be tough, Ka Ting also expressed his gratitude to deputy president hopeful Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai for expressing his support openly to him.
"Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai gave his support to me. I welcome this with open arms," he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Chua said he should be given a fair chance in the election as both of his contenders had already served as presidents.
"The other two have already served, one has served five years plus and the other has served one-and-a-half years.
"I have not been given a chance to serve and I only have the chance to serve for one year because next year is party election. I feel that the central delegates should give me a chance," he said.
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