KUALA LUMPUR: Former MCA vice president Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek has officially announced his decision to vie for the party's number two post, meaning he will be fighting for the deputy president post against incumbent MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan.

He also said the incumbent vice president Datuk Seri Fong Chan Onn would not contest for party presidency.

Chua said Fong had told him he was unlikely to contest for the party's top post, but did not reveal which party post Fong would vie for.

Chua Soi Lek's participation in the party election means MCA vice president Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai, who was earlier said to be vying for the number two post, is now "giving way" to Chua Soi Lek.

Prior to this, the challenging faction has asked vice president Datuk Seri Fong Chan Onn to negotiate with Datuk Chua Jui Meng, who has announced to contest for party presidency, in a bid to avoid a three-cornered fight that may eventually benefit the third person.

The challenging faction is expected to back Chua Jui-Meng to wrestle for the top party post one-to-one with Ong Tee Keat.

Both Fong Chan Onn and Donald Lim are incumbent vice presidents who have earlier set their sights on higher posts. Judging from the current situation, they may either defend their original posts or just withdraw from the elections.

Information from the challenging faction pointed out that Fong and Lim would make the "appropriate decisions" soon based on the latest developments.

"There is still time. The negotiation is still in progress."

It has been understood that Lim was supposed to announce his decision last week, but has postponed it to October in view of the current developments.

If Fong and Lim eventually seek to defend their VP posts, there will then be multiple fights for the party's four VP posts available.

Among party leaders that have announced their decisions to contest for vice presidency are Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen, Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, Datuk Chor Chee Heung, Datuk Kong Cho Ha and Tan Kok Hong.

Possible contenders for MCA posts

(Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)