KUALA LUMPUR, 16 July 2009: Former MCA vice-president Datuk Chua Jui Meng is set to step down as the Bakri MCA division chairperson, as speculation has intensified that he may quit the party and join the opposition.
Bakri MCA division secretary Kelvin Lim said Chua, who is also a former health minister, has called for an emergency meeting of the Bakri MCA division at 7pm today discuss his position as chairperson.
“The emergency meeting will be held at the division office in Jalan Bakri, Muar tonight. After 7.30pm, a statement is expected to be released to the media. Datuk (Chua Jui Meng) has more or less made up his mind,” he told Bernama when contacted.
Chua, 64, has been Bakri MCA division chief for 23 years. He contested the MCA president’s post twice but lost to Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting in 2005 and Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat in 2008.
Chua could not be contacted for comment. — Bernama
kcooi says
The MCA is like a ship with barrels of oil but no direction. It has failed to reinvent itself after the last GE as can be seen by silly mock bravado pronouncements every time an issue surfaces. No clear policy direction and sincere reforms from the bottom up. Very sad and Chua’s defection could be the first big tear of an avalanche.
Thomas Lee says
Chua is making a wise move. Jump to safety into a lifeboat before the MCA ship sinks at the next general election. The future is in the Pakatan Rakyat. But let’s hope those joining the Pakatan parties will leave behind their political culture of cronyism, corruption and cretinism when they cross over. As it is, there are already some elements in PKR such as its Kulim-Bandar Baru MP and Seberang Perai Municipal Council Whip who are still practising Umno culture in the Pakatan.