On the Beat | By Wong Chun Wai

More than just a battle

The word is that secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Ting Chew Peh, 62, will take on Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy for number two.

Should Dr Ting decide to fight it out, he and Chua will have to convince the 2,000-plus delegates that they can do a better job than Ong and Chan. They will also have to explain why they should move upwards.

Chua has every democratic right to contest. And as a candidate, he should be given every chance to present his case to the delegates.

Elections are a vital part of democracy and, if fairly and properly conducted, there is no reason why it should split the party, as claimed by some politicians every time there is a contest.

If a leader clings on too long to his position, it surely does the party no good, and one way of bringing change is through the elections. Grooming successors helps the rejuvenation process and ensures a smooth leadership transition.

It is also healthy for members to offer themselves as candidates in a party election as it shows that there are many talents who are prepared to offer their services to the party.

It is also evident that democracy is alive in the MCA.

As in any election, much emotion will be generated as polling approaches but MCA leaders, who claim to contest the polls for the sake of the party and Chinese community, should refrain from mud-slinging.

Open criticisms will not benefit the party, the second largest component party in the Barisan Nasional, and neither will it go down well with the Chinese community.

The present leadership has been effective, strong and united.

There have been many changes since the two young leaders took charge – the most significant being limiting the president's tenure to a maximum of three terms.

Divisions also now find there is no disparity in the number of delegates they can send to the assembly, thus allowing the smaller divisions to be given much clout.

In short, the turbulence of the previous Team A-Team B fight which tore the party apart is now over. This is evident by the fact that Ong, 49, and Chan, 50, are now facing the elections as a team.

There will be pockets of discontentment following the peace plan, which saw Ong and Chan taking over and their predecessors Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and Tan Sri Lim Ah Lek stepping down, but that is to be expected in a party of one million members.

Politicians, regardless of their level, expect positions and rewards – particularly after a bruising fight – and those who are left out in a compromise would surely be unhappy.

However, the  general membership, understanding the sentiment of the community, wants the leadership to focus their attention on protecting the community's interest and carrying out projects that benefit the people.

There are concerns that the Chinese community would lose its influence as the size of the community continues to shrink. Whether we like it or not, size does matter in the demography of a multi-racial country.

This election is not just about personal glory, winning positions or proving the candidate's popularity; the Chinese community want to know what the leaders can do for them.

The future plans are as important, if not more crucial, than past records.

The party and the community must remember that those who work will sometimes make mistakes but those who do nothing will only point out the mistakes of others.

On the Beat | By Wong Chun Wai

More than just a battle

The word is that secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Ting Chew Peh, 62, will take on Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy for number two.

Should Dr Ting decide to fight it out, he and Chua will have to convince the 2,000-plus delegates that they can do a better job than Ong and Chan. They will also have to explain why they should move upwards.

Chua has every democratic right to contest. And as a candidate, he should be given every chance to present his case to the delegates.

Elections are a vital part of democracy and, if fairly and properly conducted, there is no reason why it should split the party, as claimed by some politicians every time there is a contest.

If a leader clings on too long to his position, it surely does the party no good, and one way of bringing change is through the elections. Grooming successors helps the rejuvenation process and ensures a smooth leadership transition.

It is also healthy for members to offer themselves as candidates in a party election as it shows that there are many talents who are prepared to offer their services to the party.

It is also evident that democracy is alive in the MCA.

As in any election, much emotion will be generated as polling approaches but MCA leaders, who claim to contest the polls for the sake of the party and Chinese community, should refrain from mud-slinging.

Open criticisms will not benefit the party, the second largest component party in the Barisan Nasional, and neither will it go down well with the Chinese community.

The present leadership has been effective, strong and united.

There have been many changes since the two young leaders took charge – the most significant being limiting the president's tenure to a maximum of three terms.

Divisions also now find there is no disparity in the number of delegates they can send to the assembly, thus allowing the smaller divisions to be given much clout.

In short, the turbulence of the previous Team A-Team B fight which tore the party apart is now over. This is evident by the fact that Ong, 49, and Chan, 50, are now facing the elections as a team.

There will be pockets of discontentment following the peace plan, which saw Ong and Chan taking over and their predecessors Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and Tan Sri Lim Ah Lek stepping down, but that is to be expected in a party of one million members.

Politicians, regardless of their level, expect positions and rewards – particularly after a bruising fight – and those who are left out in a compromise would surely be unhappy.

However, the  general membership, understanding the sentiment of the community, wants the leadership to focus their attention on protecting the community's interest and carrying out projects that benefit the people.

There are concerns that the Chinese community would lose its influence as the size of the community continues to shrink. Whether we like it or not, size does matter in the demography of a multi-racial country.

This election is not just about personal glory, winning positions or proving the candidate's popularity; the Chinese community want to know what the leaders can do for them.

The future plans are as important, if not more crucial, than past records.

The party and the community must remember that those who work will sometimes make mistakes but those who do nothing will only point out the mistakes of others.