KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 — Despite claims of growing anti-Chua Soi Lek sentiment within the MCA after the general election, the just-concluded divisional elections show the party president seems to be still in control.

According to the results compiled, Dr Chua (picture) continues to be in firm control over his home state of Johor, where over half of the divisions were inclined towards his camp.

In Selangor — one of the key states in the the party elections — Dr Chua’s camp successfully captured all the coastal divisions — Klang, Kapar, Sabak Bernam, Sepang and Kuala Langat — and retained Hulu Selangor, Shah Alam and Kota Raja.

Dr Chua is also believed to have control over the majority of the Perak divisions.

Selangor has biggest number of central delegates, followed by Johor and Perak. The three states contribute 1,126 of the total 2,400 candidates.

In Penang, Dr Chua’s camp won nine of the 13 divisions. They also captured the Alor Star division in Kedah but lost Bandar Tun Razak in Kuala Lumpur.

Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek

For deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, his camp failed to make any breakthrough in the central region but his camp successfully claimed the Temerloh division in Pahang and the Batu Katil division in Malacca.

Liow’s camp also won one division in Perlis.

Siow Koi Voon, who won the Seremban division on Sunday, was also a signal that Liow’s camp had “penetrated” Negri Sembilan.

Generally speaking, according to the polls result that have been announced, Dr Chua’s camp is likely to have an “impregnable” lead with the support of the three key states.

There are 191 MCA divisions nationwide, with only 67 top division posts seeing contests.

The results will be reflective of the voting pattern on Dec 22 when MCA elects its leadership and other top posts.