In 2005, he challenged party president Ong Ka Ting, and was defeated by a majority of 698. In 2008, he is back with a vengeance. This time, he is wrestling the party's top post with his former ally, MCA's incumbent vice president Datuk Ong Tee Keat.

He is Chua Jui Meng, the former health minister for nine years cum former party vice president.

Some say Chua is an old-generation leader, and at 64, there is not much hope he can bring to MCA.

He said during an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily, "Young people could be smart, but that's not wisdom. Wisdom is accumulated through experience."

He talked about MCA's reforms, and emphasised that MCA must "stop talking about minor things, and be back to the people's desire."

There has been rumours that he takes part in the party election to help dilute Ong Tee Keat's votes.

"Do you think I have mental problem? And have nothing better to do?"

He insisted that there is no turning back for him, as this is the last chance for him to rebuild MCA.

He said, if he were elected party president on 18 October, the first thing he wants to do is to declare in front of 2,400 central delegates with his right hand raised, "I, Chua Jui Meng, will never, never be corrupt."

On his advantage running for president

Q: When did you first decide to run for president?

A: Many delegates feel that it is meaningless for me to go for the number two or number three posts. They feel that MCA needs me, and have encouraged me to fight for the top post.

In my 2005 manifesto, I warned MCA that although the Chinese community was still in support of BN then, UMNO's arrogance had made many feel uneasy. MCA must now elect a leadership that can effectively lead the party through the next general elections, because the next general elections will be one that decides the survival of MCA.

Q: Do you have confidence getting more support than in the last election?

A: Not one MCA leader dared to get close to me during the last party election, including Ong Tee Keat. Even under such circumstances I still managed to get 37% of the votes, showing that some grassroots leaders indeed accepted my philosophies.

My opponent in the last election was Ong Ka Ting, who was at his prime at that time. But this time, we do not have an incumbent, no team A or B, no obvious challenging faction. I see my opportunity to participate in the election.

Q: But your opponent has the advantage of being a Cabinet minister.

A: He is a new minister with shallow Cabinet experiences. It won't be easy for him to speak out in front of veteran UMNO ministers. I have nine years of experience as a Cabinet minister, and know very well how the Cabinet operates. In the Cabinet, 90% of communication is done in English, and usually by those who have been ministers for at least ten years.

To MCA delegates, being a minister is not that important. All they want is our political philosophies as well as track records, such as whether you have criticised UMNO. Currently the central delegates are more concerned about the relationship between UMNO and MCA.

Q: Does that mean MCA wants to change the consultative spirit of the past?

A: Consultation is still essential. In a family, the brothers must not engage themselves in quarrels. The stand and freedom of each brother must be treated with respect. However, it cannot be too rigid, and we need some wisdom.

On the relationship with Chua Soi Lek

Q: You sound like you have struck some accord with Chua Soi Lek, who is running for deputy president.

A: I believe, as long as the leaders' philosophies, objectives and directions are similar, they will walk together. My principal objective is to rebuild MCA, and be back to the people.

Q: Will you partner Soi Lek?

A: I don't rule out the possibility of partnering anyone. I always tell the delegates, I won't reject it if you want to support me. Politics is just that simple.

Q: Are you not worried that your support will be diluted if there are too many leaders from Johor contesting for the top posts?

A: Traditionally there are two ministers for Johor. But we don't have one today. This is unprecedented. In the March general elections, Johor helped secure the most parliamentary and state assembly seats for MCA, and therefore central delegates from the state hope that leaders from the state will once again decide the party's destiny. They know that they cannot afford to split again in the coming party elections.

On MCA's crisis and the NEP

Q: How is MCA's situation today?

A: MCA wants to stand on the moral high ground, but it is not the one standing aloof at this moment, but Pakatan Rakyat. Their stands on many issues have gained the recognition of the people. Therefore, MCA must rectify this and implement reforms before it can deliver itself from the valley of darkness.

Firstly, MCA must stop talking about minor things, but major issues related to the nation. Secondly, after the 13 May incident, the fearful sentiments among Chinese Malaysians have reduced MCA's relationship with UMNO to that between a servant and his boss. MCA cannot afford to keep on evading sensitive issues, or we'll be sidelined by the Chinese, Malay as well as Indian communities.

Q: Why didn't you do that when you were at the core of MCA leadership?

A: During my nine years in the Cabinet, the national economy was fast expanding; the government's economic policies were open, and many Chinese secured government projects.

In April 1988, I strongly objected to the continuation of the New Economic Policy (NEP) in the Parliament... At a time when MCA was shaky, I was the one reflecting the views of the Chinese community in the Parliament, and this has caused me to come under the attacks of UMNO leaders. Many people thought that my parliamentary seat would be taken back.

In 1989, Dr Mahathir formed a national economy coordination committee after consulting me. You can always ask those committee members how extreme my statements were in the committee. The economic and cultural openness Chinese Malaysians are enjoying today has been the fruit of MCA leadership's labour in the past.

In 2005, UMNO Youth deputy chairman Khairy Jamaluddin and I were engaged in an open debate on TV over the NEP. I didn't abstain from saying something because it was sensitive. I even said that before reinstating the NEP, the government must first inform the Chinese community of the percentage of bumiputra participation in the national economy, and set up a special committee made up of members from different ethnic groups to study the stakes held by various races. If the bumiputras had not reached 30%, the Chinese community would be willing to help them, but once the objective was achieved, the NEP must be discontinued. Khairy agreed.

On MCA's status in BN

Q: You mean, after you, the MCA leadership has been helpless in coping with issues related to the Chinese community?

A: From full support of BN in 2004, to full denial of the same in 2008, the Chinese community has seen that the existing MCA leadership cannot fight for their interests.

Q: If MCA fails to fight for the rights of Chinese Malaysians, why then should it stay in BN?

A: The problem lies in MCA, not BN. The political tsunami took place because MCA failed to understand the needs of the 600,000 new voters. If MCA does not implement a thorough reformation, even the 800,000 new voters in the next general elections will not support MCA.

No turning back

Q: You've decided to lead MCA, and there's no turning back?

A: I'm 64 years old now, with six grandchildren. My life has been good, and can fly to Melbourne or the US any time I want. My life has been so good, but I still choose the toughest thing to do--to become MCA president.

My principle is: Don't just look at yourself. We must take care of the future of the Chinese community and nation.

Q: Some say you take part in the election just to help Ong Tee Keat dilute the support for the challenging faction.

A: You think I'm crazy? Or I've nothing better to do? To run for the president, I have to go all over the country and meet the delegates. Do you think I have too much time?

Q: Do you have the support of your family?

A: I thank the Lord that my wife and children all throw their full support behind me. They tell me the country needs change, and have reminded me not to be corrupt when I become a minister.

Therefore, if I am elected on 18 October, I will raise my right hand and declare in front of the 2,400 delegates, "I, Chua Jui Meng, the newly elected MCA president, hereby swear that I will never, never be corrupt."

I will also form a Federal Constitution study team made up of senior lawyers to translate the Constitution into Chinese, so that Chinese Malaysians will under their constitutional rights better.

Last party election?

Q: If elected president, will you object to the offer to become the health minister?

A: No. If I become the president, I will certainly take up a Cabinet post again. Only in this way will I be able to negotiate with UMNO ministers to put an end to the NEP.

Q: Is this your last battle?

A: This is the final stage of my career life, and the last time I'll come out to rebuild MCA. After completing my mission, I'll call it a day. I only hope that God will give me a little more time.

On seniority

Q: You're a veteran leader, but are you not afraid that younger leaders in the party will sideline you?

A: They haven't seen my manifesto. How can you say they won't agree with me? Why are there so many people supporting Anwar, Lim Kit Siang and Hadi Awang? Do you know how old they are now?

Young people may be smart, but that's not wisdom. Wisdom is accumulated through experience. During my nine years in the Cabinet, I have seen many ministers too frightened to say anything in front of UMNO ministers. UMNO's senior ministers are very wise, and MCA needs an experienced minister to cope with them.

The economic coordination committee, which meets every ten years, will meet for the third time next year. If MCA has not elected an experienced minister by then, how is it going to persuade UMNO to redress the NEP? (Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)