Gan Ping Sieu to contest MCA presidency

KUALA LUMPUR: Former MCA vice-president Gan Ping Sieu (pix) has formally announced his intention to contest the party's top post.
This will be his second bid to become MCA president after he lost by a small margin in 2013 to Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
"In the 14th general election (GE14), MCA suffered a humiliating and crushing defeat in the party's history," the Kluang MCA division chief said during a press conference today.
Gan said the party has failed to make a clear stand on many matters of principle and of national importance such as the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, which led to the party being punished by Chinese voters.
"It is therefore important for my team and I to offer ourselves for the party election to lead MCA for the next three years with the simple mission of making real changes within the party, to regain the trust and confidence of the public and to rebuild the party.
Gan will be up against current MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong who had announced his candidacy for the top post earlier.
Wee is also the party's sole MP in Parliament after he successfully defended his Ayer Itam constituency by a narrow margin against DAP's Liew Chin Tong in GE14.
Earlier in May, Liow said he would step down following the component party's poor showing in GE14.
He said that he would ensure a smooth sailing party election in November, to pave the way for the next party leader.