WHEN the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) elects its leaders tomorrow, Dr Chua Soi Lek, the former vice-president, will start as one of the favourites for the deputy president post.

Mr Ong Kay Chua, the brother of former party president Kay Ting, is seen as his closest rival.

It would be sweet redemption for Dr Chua, 61, who fell from grace after a sex scandal.

The MCA - which traditionally looked out for the country's ethnic Chinese as part of the multiracial ruling coalition - was mauled in the March elections.

It badly needs renewal.

But is Dr Chua the right person to help provide leadership?

Well, Umno, the MCA's "big brother", has its own share of comeback kids for its March polls.

Former Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri MohammadMohammad Taib, who was arrested in Australia with undeclared currencies worth over RM1 million (S$418,913), is eyeing the deputy president slot.

Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad, ousted for money politics, is angling for the vice-president post.

But Dr Chua stands a better chance than the two Umno hopefuls.

Even before his sex video forced his resignation from government and party at the start of this year, Dr Chua has been regarded as unconventional.

He is arrogant to those who resent his guts, a radical to Malaysians who like his frankness and goodness minus the holier- than-thou stance.

When he was health minister (from 2004 to 2008), he did a decent job. More crucially, he was free of the usual financial scandals and corrupt practices associated with other ministries.

Many believed Dr Chua was the one who had exposed to the media serious anomalies in the sale of Pantai Holdings shares to foreign investors in 2005, which were at first denied by the Prime Minister.

But back to the main question: Can the man with the notorious liaison with a florist be elected deputy MCA chief?

One thing we know for sure is that no one is writing him off. His popularity, some contended, has actually grown.

When he was barred from defending his Labis constituency during the March 8 general elections, his rivals thought that was the end of him.

Instead, he got his son to succeed him. Mr Chua Tee Yong, 31, won easily and, with his dad's guidance, is serving the constituency well.

Another thing going for Dr Chua is that Datuk Ong Tee Keat, also known as OTK, is expected to brush aside Datuk Chua Jui Meng's challenge for the presidency.

Mr Ong has said he could click well with Dr Chua and his pro-change manifesto.

It's clear why: OTK has come to embody the change MCA needs so much post-March 8.

The 52-year-old maverick is vocal and said to have a mind of his own. He is hugely respected in Chinese-speaking circles, especially for his language proficiency.

OTK is not shy about speaking up. Twice he was reprimanded by the Cabinet, including when he revealed the misappropriation of funds to renovate two schools in Johor.

Mr Chua Jui Meng is experienced, but holds no sterling track record of speaking up.

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