The MCA is in a very big mess as a result of the unprecedented verdict passed by the central delegates at the EGM on Oct 10.

The aftermath which followed after 2,304 delegates voted for the three resolutions had triggered off a power struggle among its leaders rendering the 60-year-old party in disarray.

A total of 1155 delegates voted for the no-confidence resolution while 1,141 voted against it. The delegates also refused to reinstate Dr Chua Soi Lek as deputy president by voting him out with a 74-vote margin.

Ong Tee Keat lost by a razor thin margin of 14 votes but under the party constitution, only a two-third majority could force the president to step down.

Many want the throne

Soon after the results were announced, ambitious leaders, who have one thing in mind – to grab power – have been meeting on the sidelines and brokering deals to strike up an understanding on who should take the lead in the one-million membership party.

But too many leaders are now staking a claim for the throne. Vice-president Kong Cho Ha had said that he was ready to helm the party while another vice president Dr Ng Yen Yen feels that she is the most senior in the party to lead the party.

Even those who lost in the party elections just last year are now banking on fresh party polls to make a comeback.

It will be no surprise if Chua also attempt a comeback by contesting in the fresh polls. Even those forgettable leaders like Dr Fong Chan Onn and former vice-president Donald Lim Siang Chai have expressed their wish to also jump in the bandwagon for the coveted title in the party.

The contentious issue here is whether at the end of the day, MCA will still remain intact with such an open multi-cornered fight for the party leadership.

Such a scenario is most frightening as one could imagine a scene of a gold find in a river and everyone rushing to prospect the precious metal but in the rush for it, many may get trampled or even drown because of their greed.

The sad thing is that even when Ong had not expressed his intention of stepping down, leaders in the party are already making plans for his exit without disregarding the implications and repercussions on the party in the long run. They just want to grab power.

The situation can be likened to a family staking claims on the heirloom even though the head of family is still very much alive. This is very “un-Chinese” and against the cultural traditions of a good upbringing.

One thing for sure is that the party will be left without a fearless leader who dares to put his head on the chopping board, if Ong were to step down. Secondly, the MCA will be a “push over” by Umno, the big brother in Barisan Nasional.

Thirdly, will the MCA be looked up by the people with great respect and trust in spearheading a just and accountable government or that it would lose its appeal and get rejected by the people in the general election to come in two or three years.

A solution to this impasse is for Ong to remain and groom a suitable successor who could work with him to carry out the already delayed reform agenda.

His deputy could then assume the position of the president when the time is right for him to take over the helm. There should not be any rush job to pick a new regime right now.

Cannot leave house in disarray

It is undeniable that Ong is a hard headed man who is able to hold his fist tightly and stand firm on his ground on pertinent issues or that concerning the interest of the party. He is certainly no easy pushover.

It is because of his traits that did not go down well with the big boys in Umno who preferred a docile leader who can be manipulated.

It is actually a great disgrace that some of the party’s leaders were already clamouring for positions even when Ong had not expressed his intention of quitting his post.

The party is already showing signs of crumbling amidst infighting among the top leaders and Ong should not take the easy way out by turning his back and stepping down.

It would be unbecoming of a leader to leave his house in disarray and not help save the party from further destruction by holding the ruins together and rebuilding it from ground zero.

There are many things left undone, not just in MCA but also within the government machinery. Ong should not abandon those who have put their trust in him. He should stay put.