WEE Ka Siong has brushed off a challenge by Gan Ping Sieu to become MCA president, unofficial results showed.

As of 11pm, Wee was leading with 373 votes, while Gan got 152. Ngoo Teck Keong received no votes.

Gan, who is the party’s Kluang division chairman, has conceded defeat.

He said he has congratulated Wee.

“I have called Wee and congratulated him as the new president. I hope he will lead members in this challenging time and nurture new talent for the party,” he said on Facebook.

He said the future of MCA now depends on its new president.

Wee’s running mate, Dr Mah Hang Soon, is leading the deputy president race with 359 votes. Gan’s running mate, Tee Siew Kiong, has received 168 votes.

There were 636 votes cast in 188 divisions for the presidential contest.

Speaking to reporters at the official tallying centre in Kuala Lumpur, Wee thanked supporters who voted for him and Mah.

“Although it is still not yet official, the numbers show that and Mah and I have won the posts of president and deputy president, respectively.

“Both the electoral and popular votes have given us confidence, and I hope the both of us, as well as the whole team chosen, will show our hard work,” he said, describing the results as an “overwhelming response”.

He said he received a call from Gan at 10.30pm, congratulating him on the win.

“I would also like thank former president Liow Tiong Lai, who led the party (well)... I urge everyone, regardless whether they have won or lost, to cooperate for the party,” said the Ayer Hitam MP.

Of the nine candidates gunning for the posts of vice-presidents, Ti Lian Ker, Yew Teong Look, Tan Teik Cheng and Lim Ban Hong won.

Yesterday, Nicole Wong Siaw Ting was elected as MCA Youth chief, making her the first woman to hold the post.

She got 136 votes, while her rival, Ng Kiam Nam, received 82.

Tan Chee Hiong won the Youth deputy chief post with 146 votes, defeating Johor MCA Youth vice-chairman Kang Chong Nge, who got 72.

The Wanita leadership line-up all won uncontested.

Incumbent chief Heng Seai Kie retained the post, with Wong You Fong as her deputy. The wing’s four vice-chiefs are Wang Kim Lean, Lim Nget Yoon, Chiew Hong Lan and Pamela Yong. – November 4, 2018.