He used to be young, and has gone through the days of outspokenness. With almost 30 years of experience in party and government posts, he says it is more important to accomplish his individual and party responsibilities than trying to win praises and applauses from people.

He says, "For those who are bold to speak out, let them do so; and for those who can coordinate, let them do so! The most important thing is team cooperation."

He, is the MCA leader who puts team spirit above everything else, Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan.

When doing an interview with Ong Ka Chuan, it is almost impossible not to mention his younger brother Ka Ting.

He said during an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily that it is indeed lucky that people only talk about what's between him and his brother despite the fact that he has joined politics for well over two decades. However, he said he was also thankful for these people's reminders, so that the brothers would not slack off along the way.

On winning or losing

Q: If you lose the election, do you have anything bigger to lose besides your Cabinet post?

A: I started with nothing, and it therefore won't be a loss to me if I lose the election. I have to look at things in a more balanced way. If I win, that is a mandate of responsibility; but if I lose, I have to accept it too.

To me, it's not a matter of winning or losing, but what kind of deputy president 2,404 central delegates from 5,054 branches want. I must have confidence in their quality, or it will be meaningless for me to stay on in MCA.

I'm not someone who cannot take defeat. I was defeated in 2004 general elections.

Q: All four MCA ministers take part in the party elections. Will your Cabinet post be affected if you lose the election?

A: This will be determined by the new party leadership. From what happens in other BN component parties, there is some degree of difficulty in appointing a senator to be Cabinet minister. That's why Ka Ting refuses to seek re-election while encouraging the four ministers to contest in the election.

Q: Do you agree that this election will truly put your strength to test?

A: Indeed. In the past I only ran for central committee post, one out of 25, but the post I am now contesting is deputy presidency, which is 1 to 1. I can see the most direct evaluation of my credentials from party members.

On own advantages

Q: Did you decide to run for deputy president only after discussing with Ka Ting?

A: Running for deputy president is part of a development in the changing environment. I am more familiar with the party's past as well as its operations, and they think they need someone like me to assist the future party leader. So you cannot say my decision was made only after a discussion with my brother.

When Ong Tee Keat announced his decision to run for party president, the central committee did suggest that I run for deputy. But as Kong Choy was overseas at that time, I didn't actually look into this proposal seriously. Later after I was sure that Kong Choy would not seek re-election, and that no one else had voiced their intentions of running for this post, I decided to make the announcement after branch, divisional and state elections.

Q: Does that mean the incumbent president and deputy president have seen you as the most appropriate candidate for this post?

A: Over the past few months, Ka Ting and Kong Choy have been busy with the handover of party affairs, which to the uninitiated could be very tough. All this while I have been assisting in things such as UTAR and party administration. Besides, the education minister announced prior to the general elections that six Chinese primary schools would be relocated, and the RM48 million expenses involved would be allocated by the government... We need people to follow up such things. After the new leadership has been elected, I still need to brief them on the latest developments.

Talking about retirement, I should be more eligible for retirement than Ka Ting, as I'm older. But if they want to go, it will be pointless for me to say this kind of thing. So I always emphasise that to be elected is to take up the responsibility laid upon your shoulders.

Q: You mean no other senior leaders in the party can get the jobs done, besides you?

A: These are not the jobs that can be commanded in only one or two months. From an organising secretary of 14 years to secretary-general, I have been helping out in party affairs ranging from party headquarters operations to administration. Without any Cabinet post during those years, I could dedicate more time than many other people.

Q: Is experience your edge?

A: I can only say we have our own advantages. Chua Soi Lek was also a state exco like me, and has been a federal minister since 2004. But I have an edge: I became the organising secretary since 1989.

Q: You always say you are more eligible for retirement than Ka Ting. Are you not pouring cold water on your supporters by saying so?

A: I am running for the deputy presidency because I want to surrender what I know to the party. Perhaps those who want to move higher in the party through me would be disappointed by what I've said, from the perspective of the party, they should appreciate me, for there aren't many who are familiar with the party's operations.

I'd rather have them treat me as part of the party operations instead of the core of power. Only so will I be able to lure some people sharing the same aspiration to work with me.

Q: You always talked a lot about history during your past interviews or speeches. Are you not worried that you will be seen as a leader hooked onto the past and not looking forward to the future?

A: History has its continuity. To some extent, our social conditions today have their historical origins. We talk about history because we want others to know what we think, and what the Malay community thinks as well. However, history only serves as a reference, while the changing times have shown us a different direction for development. (Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)