KUALA LUMPUR: MCA vice president Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn is expected to officially announce his decision to seek re-election Tuesday, while Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai may only announce his decision to run for VP early next month.

According to the information available to Sin Chew Daily, Fong, who is also the Melaka state liaison committee chairman, will hold a press conference to announce his decision after chairing the state liaison committee meeting Tuesday evening.

Prior to this, Fong was seen as one of the possible contenders for presidency, until Datuk Chua Jui Meng announced his decision to run for the top party post.

In the last party elections, Fong was elected vice president with the highest number of votes. He began his tenure as the human resources minister from 1999 until earlier this year.

Meanwhile, after Chua Soi Lek announced that he would run for deputy president, Donald Lim is expected to defend his VP post.

To Fong and Lim, a three-cornered fight for president and deputy president posts will only put the challenging faction at a disadvantage. Therefore, both of them will most likely join in the race for VPs as incumbents.

Save for any unforeseen circumstances, they will accept the nomination for vice president posts on 13 October.

With Fong and Lim joining in the race, the VP posts will now be fought among seven candidates.

The other five candidates who have announced their decisions to run for VP posts are Ng Yen Yen, Liow Tiong Lai, Chor Chee Heung, Kong Cho Ha and Tan Kok Hong.

In another development, Negeri Sembilan state liaison committee chairman Yeow Chai Thiam, who was earlier eyeing the VP post, has said the probability for him joining in the race has been significantly reduced after much consideration and observation.

"I may change my mind. Somehow I'm only a state level leader, while the other candidates include two ministers, two deputy ministers, as well as incumbents."

He says he will most likely seek re-election as a central committee member. (Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)