Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan (left) and Datuk Ong Tee Keat.The impending MCA party election is threatening to be riddled with money politics as well as factionalism, concerned observers tell ZUBAIDAH ABU BAKAR
IT is more than a noisy war of words between party leaders vying for senior party posts in the MCA. Money politics and strong-arm tactics have also reared their ugly heads in the run-up to the October party elections.
There are whispers that money is changing hands to the tune of tens of thousands of ringgit -- an unprecedented development in the Chinese-based party, if these allegations are true.
Incumbent leaders are also said to be making promises to finance activities at branch and divisional levels; a trend which is happening in Perak.
The grapevine has it that money has been given to division chiefs, sometimes under the pretext of financing party programmes and purchasing equipment such as computers for schools.
When the money comes in the form of cheques, reportedly, most of the time it is from one tobacco company.
In one case reported to the party's disciplinary committee, a division chief was alleged to have dished out RM90,000 from the division's coffers for distribution to seven branches and the division's Youth and Wanita wings.
"It is the division's money and there was no reason to do so, except to buy votes and secure positions for candidates at the central level," said a former committee member of the division.
Another division leader insisted that vote-buying at divisional level to secure support for central elections was not just hearsay. Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, secretary-general of the party and a member of its disciplinary board, has received an official complaint on money politics in the Baling division in Kedah.
Several divisions are also believed to have lodged similar complaints with the disciplinary board.
In Johor, it was alleged that some central delegates would be paid RM2,000 each as an inducement to support certain candidates.
A leader from Gelang Patah division claimed at least 10 branches in the division were paid amounts ranging from RM20,000 to RM30,000.
Several grassroots leaders did not deny that money had also changed hands in other divisions in Johor, including Pulai, Kota Tinggi and Tanjong Piai.
Grassroots leaders in several states are also talking about intimidation through telephone calls, directing members to vote for certain leaders or risk facing "difficulties". Being ordinary members, those engaged in small businesses might be forced to comply, according to a party official, as they do not want trouble.
"They are ordinary members and do not want the daily running of their business and livelihood affected by intense politicking by leaders out to secure senior posts," he said on condition of anonymity.
Datuk Ong Tee Keat is so far alone in having declared his intention to contest the presidency. The housing and local government minister appears to be well favoured, but senior party leaders insist that it is Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek whom the grassroots want to lead the party.
Dr Chua still enjoys strong support in his home state of Johor as well as other southern states. His VCD sex scandal, however, remains an impediment, and he may settle for the deputy presidency.
He has not officially made known his intentions, but Dr Chua has been busy criss-crossing the country to meet MCA grassroots and engaging in an endless war of words with Tee Keat publicly and through their websites.
Observers say if the Tee Keat vs Dr Chua battle takes place on Oct 18, MCA will be led into another bruising experience of factional fighting for control of the party.
Some party leaders may have dismissed the "Team A", "Team B" battle taking shape, but in reality, no political party can run from seeing its members taking sides or forming teams when the top party post is being hotly contested.
From what is happening in MCA, it would be hard for anyone to accept that money and power do not reign in the run-up to the party elections.
The general perception is that party president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, who is not seeking re-election, and former senior party leaders such as former president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik may have a hand in the party elections.
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