It's game on for rivals in MCA polls - NST

Ling Hee Leong (left), son Son of former MCA president chairman Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, Ling Hee Leong (left) is up against Chenderiang assemblyman Dr Mah Han Soon for the Perak Youth chief post.

KUALA LUMPUR: Sept 3, 2008

The stage is set for fierce battles in MCA Youth and Wanita wings on Saturday.
Battle lines between two camps -- dubbed whisky and puer tea -- were clear after nominations for the top Youth and Wanita chief posts in Perak, Johor and Selangor closed last night.

These are key states for MCA leaders aspiring for high posts at the national level as they contribute about 40 per cent of delegates to the general assembly.

Leading the charge for the "whisky" team is former MCA president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik's eldest son, Hee Leong, who is facing Chenderiang assemblyman Dr Mah Han Soon for the Perak Youth chief post.

Ling junior earned his team the whisky moniker because of his "eat, drink and be merry" philosophy. Hee Leong is seen as part of the team that is backed by Dr Ling.
Up against the whisky team is the puer team, backed by outgoing president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting. The team earned the puer tea tag because one of its key members, MCA Youth secretary-general Dr Wee Ka Siong, is known as a no-nonsense traditionalist.

Wee and Hee Leong are expected to lock horns for the national Youth chief post come October.

However, the anticipated clash for the top Perak MCA Wanita post did not materialise. Senator Heng Seai Kie won the post uncontested when much-touted challenger, Gopeng division Wanita head Yew Sau Kam did not turn up to submit her nominations.

Both the Youth and Wanita incumbents Datuk Tan Chin Meng and Chew Poh Thai are not seeking re-election.

Nominations nationwide took place between 4pm and 8pm.

In Johor, there will be a straight fight for the posts of Youth and Wanita chief. State Youth secretary Haw Chin Teck will face off against MCA Gelang Patah Youth division chairman Teo Siew Hock, while incumbent Wanita chief Tan Ah Eng can expect a bruising battle with Lee Kim Moi.

Teo and Lee are said to be aligned to former vice-president Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, who is widely known to enjoy a good rapport with Dr Ling.

In Selangor, there will be another huge battle between candidates aligned to party president Ong and vice-president Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai, who is also close to Dr Ling.

The battle for the state Youth chief post will be between Lim's Petaling Jaya Selatan division Youth chief Sheah Kok Fah and Puchong division Youth chief Dr Kow Cheong Wei.

Incumbent state Wanita chief Datuk Paduka Chew Mei Fun (puer team) will face off against newly-elected Kelana Jaya division chief Ong Chong Swen. Ong's alliance is, however, unclear as she used to be a supporter of former MCA national Wanita deputy chief Datin Paduka Dr Tan Yee Kew, who recently joined Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

Three-cornered fights are on the cards for both the Kedah and Federal Territory Youth chief posts.

Kedah's Youth deputy chief Gan Hor Chye will face auditor Teh Gee Yau and state MCA committee member Ong Soon Boon, while Federal Territory's Youth secretary Chew Lian Keng will do battle with MCA Batu division Youth chief Ling Yoke Hooi and Cheras division Youth chief Dr Toh Kian Kock.

There is no contest for the Kedah Wanita chief post as incumbent Datuk Lim Bee Kau won uncontested, while the Federal Territory Wanita will see a tussle between Setiawangsa Wanita chief Chim Kim Moi and Bandar Tun Razak Wanita chief Chang Seok Sin for the top post.

In Negri Sembilan, former vice-chief Siow Koi Voon will face off against Lee Choon Fatt for the top state Youth chief post, as incumbent Fu Ming Chee is not seeking re-election.

State Wanita chief Datuk Lee Pit Chern created history when she held on to the post for the 25th year in a row.

In Penang, the state Youth chief post will see a four-cornered fight involving Taman Berapit branch youth chief Eng Hiap Boon, Bukit Mertajam division secretary Ong Tang Chuan, Bukit Bendera committee member Ng Siew Boon and Taman Kolam Air branch chief Lim Ching Yang.

Incumbent Ooi Chuan Aik has decided not to contest for the post.

As for the Wanita post, there will be a straight fight between Bayan Baru division Wanita chief Ooi Siew Kim and Nibong Tebal division chief Tan Cheng Liang.

Perlis, Pahang, Terengganu and Sabah did not see any contests for Youth and Wanita chief posts.