Tee Yong: I’m not my father’s keeper

PETALING JAYA: MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek is keeping his cards close to his chest as to whether he will seek re-election in the party elections, said central committee member Chua Tee Yong.

Tee Yong, the president’s son, told FMT that he had no knowledge of his father’s intention regarding the party polls, scheduled for December.

He said despite Soi Lek having promised to quit on May 6 to shoulder the responsibility of MCA’s thrashing in the general election, there were many grassroots leaders who wanted him to stay.

“Whether or not he would change his mind, no one knows. I believe he will use his political wisdom to make the right decision.

The Labis MP said he would stay away from the party polls if his father decided to stand for re-election.

“This is to avoid people from saying that the father and son are turning the party into a private limited company,” he said.

Direct election

Tee Yong said as a trained accountant he tended to view issues from an economic angle while his father might not.

“My father became assemblyman and then an MP. He has been in politics for a long time while I only have five years’ experience.

“I do not have in-depth knowledge in handling matters like he does,” he said.

Tee Yong, who is a member of MCA’s transformation committee, said the panel would propose to the party to have direct election with more grassroots leaders involved.

Now, MCA members only elect about 2,000 delegates who in turn pick the central leadership.

“The direct election need not to be in the model of Umno but it is definitely something to be considered,” he said.