Chua’s suspension may help sway fence-sitters
If the decision to sack Dr Chua was labelled as cruel, the sudden twist of reducing the political "death" sentence to only a four-year political "jail" term is indeed a good public relations exercise for Ong.
By Sim Bak Heng, The New Straits Times
WILL former MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek be happy about his new fate in the party?
For a convict, the choice between a death sentence and a four-year jail term is obvious.
But for Dr Chua, who was originally sacked and then given a four-year membership suspension, neither, probably, makes a difference.
However, out of so many auspicious numerals, president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat could only think of four — a four-year suspension. (The number four in Hokkien is si or die.)
So for the Chinese, four is an unlucky number and Dr Chua may not like it, although he wishes to die as an MCA member.
For Ong, his strategy of suspending Dr Chua is set to buy him more votes. This is another bonus, as the scheduling of the extraordinary general meeting on Oct 10 has already allowed him to buy time.
If the decision to sack Dr Chua was labelled as cruel, the sudden twist of reducing the political "death" sentence to only a four-year political "jail" term is indeed a good public relations exercise for Ong.
At least, this is set to influence the sentiments of the fence-sitters — those who neither sided with Ong nor supported Dr Chua. In short, they have not made up their minds.
Dr Chua's camp is desperate to see the former health minister make a comeback. Ong granted them their wish, but they have to wait for four years.
The problem for Dr Chua's supporters is that this means he will not be able to contest the party election in 2011 and the general election, which must be held by 2013.
If the membership suspension was only for a year, Dr Chua will have the best of both worlds for a comeback. Any number bigger than one will not favour him.
No wonder Datuk Seri Tan Chai Ho, the chairman of the Central Delegates' EGM Action Committee who is a firm believer in auspicious numbers, just walked out of the central committee meeting before Ong made the announcement on Saturday.
Others from the Chua camp also followed Tan, one after another.
One of them was Tee Siew Keong, who said the reduced sentence on Dr Chua was just a show by the CC.
"If the show means anything at all, it is merely to protect the president.
"Why wait until now to reduce the sentence? It should have been done much earlier, well before the idea of an EGM was mooted," he said.
MCA Gelang Patah division chairman Jason Teo Siew Hock, who shares Tee's view, said the overturning of the expulsion showed Ong's inconsistency in dealing with Dr Chua.
"Since the decision by the presidential council had been overturned, he should resign together with all members of the council. The reduced sentence for Dr Chua is meaningless. It is also redundant since the date of the EGM has already been set.
"This is basically Ong's political gimmick to gain sympathy. After all, he hopes the delegates will not cast a vote of no confidence against him."
However, some MCA leaders viewed the reduced sentence as a kind gesture on the part of the CC in view of Dr Chua's long service.
MCA Johor Baru division youth chief Kua Song Tuck said Dr Chua should be grateful for the lenient sentence as he would be able to resume his membership after four years.
"Since he wants to serve in MCA forever, he should view the new sentence as being able to pursue his dream rather than as an obstacle."
