KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — Following the uncertain ending of the MCA extraordinary general meeting last Sunday, the spotlight is now on the next move of party president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

The favourite topic now for many MCA members is what  Dr Chua will do as he tries to secure a lifeline ahead of the party polls in December.

According to a party source, various alliances have been thought up for him and it looks like Dr Chua may team up with archrival Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat to secure a strong platform during the polls.

It is said that feelers have been sent to Ong proposing that he go for the presidency. However it comes with the condition that his running mate should be Dr Chua’s son, Datuk Chua Tee Yong.

Although Ong has denied knowledge of any such move, party sources said it would not be a surprise as Dr Chua has to muster all the support he can get.

“In politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies. Although they are bitter enemies, Dr Chua may just forgo all of it for political expediency. But whether Ong will be receptive is another matter altogether,” said the party source.

Another party veteran said Dr Chua’s predicament now was that he did not have a presidential candidate in his camp and this was hampering his plans.

He said it would not be a surprise if he even tried to woo someone from Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai’s camp.

“In this scenario, Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong could well be Dr Chua’s target as he can be groomed to take on Liow,” he added.

“However the weeks leading to the party polls will shed more light on who is aligned to whom because it can change anytime as seen from previous elections.”

The Chinese newspapers have also been abuzz on the issue and one scenario highlighted is the possibility of Dr Chua contesting for presidency again.

Quoting MCA sources, Oriental Daily said Dr Chua may do so if he was unable to find a strong candidate on his side.

“Dr Chua remains the most winnable candidate from his camp,” a source said.

The daily also said that despite Liow surviving the censure move at last Sunday’s extraordinary general meeting, it might not reflect Liow’s actual support among the delegates.

“Nobody has a clear advantage and it is still a 50-50 situation,” it said.

Oriental Daily also said Dr Chua may call for the collective resignation of the entire central committee so as to level the playing field and make it easier for him in the party polls.

In such a situation, nobody will an edge in campaigning as a central committee member.

However the daily also spoke to some political analysts who dismissed this possibility, saying Dr Chua risked the support from fencesitters, if he did so.

“It is too risky for him as the voting pattern in the EGM had shown that neutral members were more sympathetic to Liow,” it said.