KUALA LUMPUR: MCA Central Committee has struck an accord to throw its full support behind vice president Datuk Ong Tee Keat and secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan to run for the president and deputy president respectively in the October party election, while MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai will be appointed secretary-general.

Althought Ong Tee Keat has said he would not single out any running mate as yet, news from senior party leaders indicate that, with a little help from party president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and deputy president Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, Ong Tee Keat and Ong Ka Chuan have struck an accord on the "Ong-Ong" pair.

It has been understood that Ong Ka Ting, seen as from "A" Team and Chan Kong Choy, seen as from "B" Team, have agreed on the "Ong-Ong" pair in a bid to counteract the challengers headed by former vice president Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek.

It has been learned that senior party leaders are now in favour of Ong Tee Keat from "B" Team, and Ong Ka Chuan from "A" Team, considering the fact that they are the best persons to extend the "Ong-Chan" pair's reform policies.

Senior party leaders feel that Tee Keat has the best chances due to his positive image, and is the best candidate to extend MCA's healthy political culture while being more acceptable to the "Ong" faction.

In terms of qualifications and political attachment, Ka Chuan is a better candidate to assume the post of deputy president compared to Liow Tiong Lai. This is also to avoid a possible "Ong-Liow" pair, where both are from the same "B" Team.

Although some may say that Ka Chuan's running for deputy president may be seen as a continuition of the "Ong" dynasty, senior party leaders have also considered the fact that the public may be unhappy if he does not seek the mandate of central delegates in the coming party election, but instead accepts the appointment to the post of secretary-general.

Meanwhile, Liow, who was MCA Youth secretary-general when Ong Tee Keat was the chairman, has been working very well with Ong. Liow's appointment to the post of secretary-general has been conceived after considering the close working relationship between the two.

It has been learned that Liow, who has the received the "blessings" from senior party leaders to be the next secretary-general, will not contest in the election.

From Ong's open declaration of his intention to run for president, to the open support by supporters of the "Ong Ka Ting" faction, it is obvious that the central committee's decision has received the "blessings" from grassroots members. (Sin Chew Daily)