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Tycoon Lee Kim Yew not contesting MCA top post

MCA Youth supports call to abolish Sedition Act

Property tycoon Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew will not contest the top post in the MCA polls on December 21, putting an end to speculation that he will join the crowded presidential race.

In a full-page advertisement in the Chinese newspapers today, he said he would only contest a "top post" when the Chinese party implemented direct voting.

"I hope to participate in the party polls when direct elections are implemented within three years.

"I hope direct elections will help MCA regain its support and return to its original mission and vision by the 14th General Election," he said.

The presidency is currently a three-cornered fight among deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, vice-president Gan Ping Sieu and former president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

Incumbent president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek is not defending the post.

MCA did badly in the 2008 general election, where its inability to check Umno saw the Chinese-based party winning only 15 federal and 32 state seats.

In GE13, the party fared worse, ending up with only seven parliamentary and 11 state seats.

The Malaysian Insider had on December 12 reported that Lee was going to contest a "top post", with intense speculation that he was aiming the presidency.

"Let people speculate. When the time comes, I will show my cards,” he had said.

Despite not contesting, Lee who is a MCA Parit Sulong division member, pledged to continue contributing to the party, including in the coming polls.

In stating his support for direct elections, Lee said that was the only way to save MCA from its current doldrums, weed out money politics and low quality leaders.

The founder of property conglomerate Country Heights Group said the coming polls was make or break for MCA. He urged the 2,380 central delegates to vote according to two criteria: candidates who supported direct elections and those who were elected in the May general election.

His statement was seen as an endorsement of Liow and his running mate, Datuk Wee Ka Siong, who is contesting the deputy’s post.

"Central delegates should respect elected representatives elected by the people, especially for the posts of president and deputy president.

"MCA can no longer be a party whose president cannot and dare not face voters,” he added, taking a dig at the two other presidential candidates, Ong and Gan, who were not fielded in GE13.

MCA will hold its nominations tomorrow, with its elections on December 21 and the annual general assembly the next day. – December 15, 2013.