"Dare to speak out" has all of a sudden become a fashionable buzzword in the country's politics, as if a politician will never become a good leader and win the hearts of the people unless he is brave enough to speak out.

Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek who is contesting for the post of MCA deputy president, said Friday (26 Sept) that a conspiracy was being mobilised among party delegates to assassinate his political career.

Former MCA Vice-president and party veteran Datuk Yap Pian Hon Friday (26 Sept) announced he will be contesting the vice-president's post in the party election scheduled on 18 Oct.

According to information available to Sin Chew Daily, the 13 Wanita MCA state liaison committee chairmen have reached a consensus on major central committee posts. Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun will run for the Wanita chairman, while incumbent secretary-general Datuk Yu Chok Tow will run for deputy chairman.

MCA vice president Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn is expected to officially announce his decision to seek re-election Tuesday, while Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai may only announce his decision to run for VP early next month.

During an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily, Liow Tiong Lai, who has announced his candidacy for MCA deputy president post in the coming party election, made it clear that he would support Ong Tee Keat and Ong Ka Chuan to contest for the positions of party president and vice-president.

In 2005, he challenged party president Ong Ka Ting, and was defeated by a majority of 698. In 2008, he is back with a vengeance. This time, he is wrestling the party's top post with his former ally, MCA's incumbent vice president Datuk Ong Tee Keat.

After the humiliating defeat in the March elections, Barisan Nasional has been urging party leaders to respect the views of the grassroots. At the same time, complaints on UMNO's hegemony and indifference to the feelings of other people are also gaining momentum.

Every MCA central delegate has his own leadership line-up. Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek, who has just announced his decision to run for the party's number two post, is no exception.

From the information available to Sin Chew Daily, MCA Youth has arrived at a consensus list. The deputy chairman post will still be reserved for the state of Perak, and will be contested by the new state division chairman Mah Hang Soon.