The Prime Minister believes that a fresh elections is one of the best solutions to resolve the party crisis of MCA. However, the three factions are deadlocked over the date for the fresh elections as they are having their own plans.

MCA President Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat believes that October next year would be most appropriate time as they can have a direct presidential election for MCA at that time. Even though Ong claimed that he is supported by 49% of party members in the 10 Oct Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), his popularity plummeted after he had sacked a few people. He should be gratified if he is still supported by 30% of the members. He said that he is still well-accpeted by the grassroots and he will have higher chances of winning in a direct presidential election. Therefore, he wishes to delay the fresh elections.

Meanwhile, Deputy President Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek is holding greatest grassroot power. However, as he said, his loyal supporters will be on holiday abroad during the period from December to February. Children will have to go back to schools and Chinese will have to prepare for the Chinese New Year celebrations. He is worried that delegates supporting the Chua faction may not be able to attend the fresh elections. Therefore, he suggested that they should have it in March next year. Moreover, the appropriations for the districts will only be issued in January next year. Dr Chua wishes to wait until the funding comes into effect as it will benefit his campaign.

As for Vice-President Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, his latest deadline is January next year. After the President sacked Youth Chief Datuk Wee Ka Siong and Wanita Chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun from the Presidential Council (PC), the Liow faction received well support during their briefing tour around the country. The Liow faction wishes to take the advantage of the trend, as well as the grassroots' current dissatisfaction to promptly hold a fresh elections. They are worried that if the fresh elections is held a few months later, the President may come out with other means to weaken their morale and the grassroot's strength.

Both Dr Chua and Liow had met with Deputy Prime Minister when Ong was abroad, but they could not reach an agreement on the date for the fresh elections. As Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is anxious to solve the party crisis, and there may be a snap general elections next year, UMNO will not allow further prolong for the crisis. Thus, a compromise formula should be in January next year. It does not benefit the President but Dr Chua may make arrangements so that the delegates will stay in the country during this period, there should not be a big problem.

UMNO does not wish to expand the party crisis and thus, there should be no fresh elections for MCA Youth and Wanita MCA this time. The Liow faction is able to keep its two wings before the fresh elections.

After the date of the fresh elections is finalised this week, it will be the time for the three factions to weight the situation and list their candidates. The Ong and Liow factions are confronting with each other and it is quite impossible for them to cooperate. Therefore, they will fight for the cooperation with the Chua faction. Who can work together with the Chua faction, he will be the one to dominate.

As Ong has been desperately trying to keep his power and position recently, I believe that he will defend the throne. But as long as it is a one-on-one fight, he will likely lose. Moreover, his “generals”may leave him during the campaigning period because of the unfavourable situation. He must first weight himself before he can fight for the cooperation with the Chua faction.

If the Liow faction can really maintain the grassroot support, the Chua faction may eventually cooperate with the Liow faction. The Liow faction can no longer accept Ong as the party's president, then why not they just secretly work together with the Chua faction to achieve their objective of sacking Ong?

Dr Chua has made himself clear that he wishes not to fight for any position. It is very cost-effective if he does not contest for the President's post but cooperates with the Liow faction, so that his son and trusted followers can gain benefits from it.

Therefore, it may end up as a triangle war among Ong, Dr Chua and Liow but it may also lead to a situation in which Liow will contest for the President's post while Dr Chua defends his Deputy President's post. Whatever the lineup, they must first gain blessing from UMNO. (By LIM SUE GOAN/Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/Sin Chew Daily)