The former head of Malaysia's main ethnic Chinese party announced Tuesday he would contest the post again, setting the stage for a bitter power struggle in a key member of the ruling coalition.
The announcement quashes hopes of an amicable end to months of infighting that has crippled the Malaysian Chinese Association, or MCA, the No. 2 party in prime minister Najib Razak's ruling National Front coalition.
The party feud has hindered Najib's efforts to recapture support from Malaysia's large ethnic Chinese minority, who widely voted against the National Front in 2008 elections amid accusations of discrimination by the Malay-dominated government in economic and religious policies.
Two-thirds of the MCA's leaders quit their posts earlier this month to pave the way for party elections scheduled for March 28. In recent weeks, only party president Ong Tee Keat confirmed he would defend his post, raising hopes that other potential challengers would allow him to retain the presidency without further infighting.
However, Ong Ka Ting, who led the MCA from 2003 to 2008, announced Tuesday he would contest the presidency, saying that many party members have urged him to make a comeback and help restore the party to its previous popularity.
Ong's announcement triggers the possibility of a three-way fight for the presidency, because the party's No. 2 leader, Chua Soi Lek, might also make a bid for the top post.
The MCA's stability is crucial for the National Front, which is dominated by Najib's United Malays National Organisation party. The National Front comprizes mainly race-based parties representing the country's main ethnic groups _ the majority Malay Muslims and the minority Chinese, Indians and indigenous tribes.
http://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/ap/20100316/tap-as-malaysia-chinese-party-b3c65ae.html
|
