We thought that the MCA crisis would be over after they came out with the “greater unity plan” which was blessed by the Prime Minister. But we have in fact once again “underestimated” the leaders' capacity for going back on their words. The infighting starts again.

The unity plan benefits both President Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and former Deputy President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek. Instead of leaving, they stay and “dive up the political spoils”. Meanwhile, the Liow faction, whose benefits have been harmed, together with former leaders who are discontented, launch attack against Ong and Dr Chua, hoping to overthrow or change the unity plan.

After the “betrayal” of some Central Committee members, Ong took initiative to cooperate with Dr Chua and achieved the so-called unity plan. The purpose is to check and balance the Liow faction. Ong's wishful thinking is to stabilise his status and fight for more time and space by dividing the power into three. He hopes to reverse the current unfavourable situation through restructuring and forces absorption.

I believe that Dr Chua and Ong have agreed with the cooperation conditions, such as Dr Chua gives his support to Ong while the President gives him party position as a return. If Dr Chua is unable to reinstate as the Deputy President, he may be appointed as the Secretary-General. But the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) voting results want both of them to leave. They have lost their integrity to stay. Moreover, with their unyielding personalities and mutual suspicion, how long such fragile relationship, in which they cooperate only for benefits, can last?

Meanwhile, new Deputy President Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai has been supported by over 20 Central Committee members, MCA Youth Chief and MCA Wanita Chief. There is only a step left for him to succeed to the President position. After they found out that the unity plan was not proposed by the Prime Minister, the Liow faction does not allow Ong and Dr Chua to enjoy the benefits. Therefore, they frequently gather to find out ways to make Ong and Chua leave together.

Ong, Dr Chua and Liow have formed the Three Kingdoms of MCA. The President wishes to use the Chua faction to impede the Liow faction, letting him to deal with the traitor and rebuild his kingdom. Meanwhile, the Chua faction hopes that Ong and Liow will kill each other so that they can enjoy the fruits. As for Liow, he has to race against time to absorb the anti-Ong and anti-Chua forces. Otherwise, his own forces may be absorbed by the President in power.

Liow seems powerful but it is not so easy for him to success. According to the party's constitution, the Central Committee has no right to depose the President unless two-thirds of the voted Central Committee members resign, then they may hold a fresh party elections. As planned, Ong is going to replace some State Chiefs and State Executive Committee (Exco) members. MCA politics is benefit-based and it is not surprising if some Central Committee members shift to support the President in the end.

Based on the current situation, there are various possibilities, including the intervention of the Prime Minister to find a way that can truly resolve the crisis; the third force convenes an EGM to complete the task of replacing the leadership; the party crisis continues and Ong leads the party as a lame duck until the next party elections in 2011; a true unity for the three factions and become a team; and, the Chua and Liow factions or the Ong and Liow factions work together to achieve a great unity. The possibility for the first option is above the others.

MCA leaders have no principle and integrity. We will not be surprising to see an unexpected ending as we can no longer use common sense to view MCA. (By LIM SUE GOAN/Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/Sin Chew Daily)