KUALA LUMPUR: According to information available to Sin Chew Daily, from the latest situation in the eight-cornered fight for MCA's vice presidency, candidates most likely to win with the highest votes will be those who are least controversial and factioned.

From what most people have analysed, this eight-cornered fight is in fact one that is fought among only six contenders, namely Tan Kok Hong, Datuk Kong Cho Ha, Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen, Datuk Chor Chee Heung and Datuk Seri Fong Chan Onn.

The other two candidates Datuk Yap Peng Hon and Lim Teck Chong are the underdogs with very slim chances of winning the election.

From the last party election, central delegates chose one strong and one gentle leaders: the less controversial Fong Chan Onn and the high-profile Chua Soi Lek, who won with the top two highest numbers of votes.

In this coming election, less controversial leaders remain on the upper hand. And among the eight contenders, the low-key Kong Cho Ha and Tan Kok Hong are seen as the favourites.

They come from Perak and Johor respectively, two major states for MCA. Besides, they are also more acceptable to both the mainsteam and non-mainstream factions within MCA.

Barring any untoward incident, Kong and Tan should be able to sail past the VP election pretty safely, and could be elected with the highest numbers of votes.

As for Liow Tiong Lai and Ng Yen Yen, who have received the blessings from the Youth and Wanita wings respectively on top of their Cabinet post advantage, their chances vary due to factious problems, with Ng's situation being more worrisome.

Although she has the undivided support from the Wanita, response from central delegates is at most lukewarm, and there are talks that she may be dropped. Having said that, Ng and her supporters remain elated and confident, as they forge ahead in soliciting votes.

Outgoing Youth chief Liow Tiong Lai might garner some swing votes and have his not-so-bright outlook reversed, thanks to his "BN should have two deputies" remarks in the Youth assembly.

This, coupled with the fact that he is the preferred candidate of mainstream leaders and the more than 300 guaranteed votes from the Youth wing, will most likely see him through as well.

If Kong, Tan and Liow are elected as widely anticipated, the remaining VP post is likely to be wrestled among Ng Yen Yen, Chor Chee Heung and Fong Chan Onn.

Preferred by the mainstream faction, Chor is believed to be on the upper hand for the remaining VP post. (Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)