Published on: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 |
Kuala Lumpur: The fate of several State MCA chiefs hangs in the balance in the wake of the party's crisis and may be decided today (Wednesday). It is believed may also include Sabah's Datuk Edward Khoo Keok Hai.
The others who may also be moved or removed are Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong (Melaka), Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun (Perlis), and Vice President Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai himself (Penang).
They are all said to be aligned to Liow and is to counter the Nov 28 extraordinary general meeting (EGM) planned by the Liow faction.
Ong is understood to be meeting state chiefs on the reshuffle which is deemed as part of the unity plan.
Deputy President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek's camp is expected to emerge stronger from the reshuffle, at the expense of Liow's faction.
Liow may be moved to Pahang, where he began his political career.
Otherwise Pahang incumbent Datuk Hoh Khai Mun will get to keep his post.
Negri Sembilan chief Datuk Dr Yeow Chai Thiam, one of the CC members who requisitioned EGM2 but has since switched to support the unity plan, may be retained as he is in firm control of the State.
The new line-up has not been finalised and negotiations are still in progress. For some states, two to three names are being floated and there is also talk that Ong and Chua may helm two states each.
It is almost certain that Ong, who is Pandan MP, will head Selangor MCA again. Chua is likely to head Johor, which is now helmed by Ong, but Chua can expect objections from the Ong brothers (former president Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting and former Secretary-General Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan) faction.
Based on popularity, Dr Por Choo Chor may head Perlis MCA but Ong will very likely retain Chew in the interest of the Greater Unity Plan.
Chor, who is aligned to Liow, has strong support in Kedah but it is anyone's guess whether he would be picked to replace Lim Lye Huat.
In Perak, there are no clear indications as yet if Vice-President Datuk Kong Cho Ha would keep his state chief post. Speculation is rife that former Penang MCA deputy chief Datuk Koay Kar Huah may be appointed to head the state, replacing Liow.
In the east coast, MCA's first elected woman Vice-President Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen is likely to be retained in Kelantan and Secretary-General Datuk Wong Foon Meng, the current Selangor MCA chief, may be moved to Terengganu to replace Toh Chin Yaw.
In Sabah, Ong is expected to choose between incumbent Khoo and Datuk Chow Tet Onn. Federal Territory MCA chief Tan Sri Tee Kock Seng, who is Treasurer-General, is expected to make way for Datuk Tan Chai Ho.
However, Tan is said to be not keen to return to active politics, thus leaving the door open to Datuk Yew Teong Look, who is aligned to the Ong brothers.
