KUALA LUMPUR: Describing himself as the "Last of the Mohicans," Datuk Wong Mook Leong is all set for the tussle to grab a spot in the 25-seat party Central Committee (CC), at the MCA polls on Oct 18.

Wong, a party strategist, is no pushover especially after having served in the CC for the last 31 years (since 1977) and being under five of the eight MCA presidents since the inception of the party 59 years ago.

"I see myself as the Last of the Mohicans, since the (Tan Sri Lee) San Choon's era. I feel that I still have the zeal to contribute to the party and members especially with my wealth of experience.

"I want to be an inspiration to members. Members and leaders should know that if you want to go into active politics, you don't have to leave your job.

"You can still work as a lawyer, accountant or whatever but still contribute to the party and the country. There is a misconception that if you want to enter active politics you must leave your day job. Even an odinary person like me can contribute," he told Bernama when contacted.

The MCA election nominations saw a record number of 63 candidates putting in their nomination papers for the 25 CC posts. All other positions--president, deputy president and vice-presidents--were also contested.

Describing, the contest in the party this time around as just a challenge, he said, to date the party had only undergone three major leadership crises, during the Lee San Choon, Tan Koon Swan and Tun Ling Liong Sik eras.

"This election is a peaceful one compared to the three crises faced by MCA.

I would say this time it is very mundane by my standards. We are not at a crisis. We are facing only a challenge," said Wong, who came out first of the 25 CC members at the last party election.

The 65-year-old Wong, who became a CC member at the age of 34, said the March 8 general election results revealed that the MCA was at its lowest ebb and that it needed the guidance of experienced leaders to win back the hearts and minds of the Malaysian Chinese community.

"I actually wanted to retire after this term but March 8 changed everything. It made me want to fight back. My fear was if there were only 10 candidates for the 25 CC posts. That would be a disaster for the party.

"The fact that there are so many wanting to serve augurs well for MCA. It shows that members and leaders want to fight back and regain the trust of the community. It is better to be overzealous than not. They are determined to bring MCA back to its track. Now I see light at the end of the tunnel," he said.

He said after touring the country and speaking to members and delegates to the MCA assembly this weekend, a pattern had emerged where they wanted to see a change.

"This not only applies to the party leadership but also the way we operate and do our business. MCA, they say, should be more vocal. Fight for issues and this is also my belief," he added. (Bernama)