Ka Ting makes political history

Ka Ting makes political history by Ng Kee Seng WHEN Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting was "installed" as MCA president on May 23, 2003, his detractors passed unsavoury remarks to the effect that "that Ling's bag carrying boy will not last". Ong was retired president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik's longtime aide. Today, in just under three years, Ong has mustered more political will than many of his seniors could to initiate radical political changes. In fact, he has proven he is a man of few words but plenty of action. Within months after becoming the leader of Malaysia's largest Chinese political party, Ong amended the party constitution, limiting his own tenure in office to three terms or nine years. He also amended Articles 67 and 94 of the constitution to limit the number of delegates to party general assemblies, making it almost unrewarding for leaders to continue "manufacturing" phantom members for political self-interest. Ong's detractors were still not convinced with the changes, dismissing them as "cosmetic" political stunts to gain popularity. But he had done enough to garner the confidence of the majority of party members to win the presidency in the party elections on Aug 20. Armed with an electorial mandate, Ong called for a brainstorming session with his newly-elected central committee (CC) members onboard an oceanliner on Sept 23 and 24. In the two-day outing, the CC members gave their input and drafted general guidelines for MCA leaders holding public office. Last Tuesday, the presidential council endorsed the proposal to cap the tenure of MCA ministers and state executive councillors to two and three terms respectively. The draft also covered the term of office of Senators, the minimum criteria for selection as candidates to become Members of Parliament, assemblymen and Senators. Ong has made unselfish and radical changes to MCA's polit ical culture, giving the party a revolutionary image transformation from what was once perceived as a "towkay party" to one that is likely to attract young professionals and academicians with its emphais on democracy and transparency. Though the changes are politically radical, the silence of other parties, including the opposition, has been deafening. Political leaders have generally avoided comment for fear of offending their bosses because what Ong has done is to tackle head-on two protracted problems of Malaysian pol itics ? succession and phantom members. With such a radically-positive political attitude which has won silent praises from party grassroots, it will surely be a Gargantuan task for any MCA leader to unseat Ong before his term ends in 2012. Ong may yet go down in history as the president who introduced a new political culture in MCA. While others continue to grapple with "overstaying" issues and phantom members, Ong has set in motion a pressure effect on all other political parties.