KUALA LUMPUR: With just days to go before the nomination day for MCA party election next Monday, rumours are swirling about the likely candidates for the top posts, while intense horse-trading is reportedly keeping the contending camps busy.

The party faithful are engaged in a guessing game of who is with whom, and adding to the uncertainty is the news of who has changed the date for announcing his candidacy. Earlier in the week, it was reported that former deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek would make an announcement today, but a source close to him said he has now opted to announce his candidacy on Sunday.

“He is going to the ground to get feedback, and so far the delegates he has met have responded well,” said a source when asked why Chua had delayed his announcement.

Chua is tipped to go for the top post although some quarters have claimed that he may reconsider his options, now that former president Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting has joined the fray.

Both Ka Ting and Chua’s camps have claimed that their man is the frontrunner in the race, while incumbent president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat’s lieutenants have been fairly quiet.

Ka Ting, who announced his candidacy in a press statement on Tuesday, has yet to make any appearance on the dinner cum campaign circuit that has been a nightly feature since last week.

The campaigning, said a supporter of Chua, is going on through those aligned with Ka Ting. “He will only make his appearance on Monday,” he said.

There are rumours that both Ka Ting and Chua’s camps are busy courting Tee Keat’s supporters to ensure a decisive win instead of a close margin. Word on the ground is that Chua is leading the race but that Ka Ting is fast catching up.

However, Ka Ting’s allies maintain that they are in a comfortable position and have a manifesto, which will be unveiled on Monday. The delegates certainly will want to know his plans for the party.

Questions are aplenty on whether Ka Ting intends to be an interim president who will stay until he has stabilised the party, will he groom a successor or will he make full use of Article 21A of the party constitution which says an elected president can hold office for up to nine years.

The guessing game will continue until Monday when the candidates and their alignments would be clear for all to see. Nevertheless, the horse-trading can be expected to continue right up till D-day, March 28.