PETALING JAYA: MCA is changing leaders at division level as many have opted to retire as the party election starts.

MCA president Datuk Seri Dr. Wee Ka Siong did not contest in the Johor Bahru division while Tanjung Piai member of parliament Datuk Seri Wee Jeck Seng has also handed over the baton as Tanjung Piai division chairman to Tan Eng Meng, who is Pekan Nenas state assemblyman.

Both Wee Ka Siong and Wee Jeck Seng are members of parliament from MCA.

A source says Wee Jeck Seng will likely contest in party central leadership in September, vying for the post of vice president or higher.

Wee Ka Siong, who became party president in 2018, will likely be retained as MCA president. This will be his last term.

The party constitution states that the tenure of a president is limited to three terms or nine years.

Petaling Jaya divisional chairman Datuk Donald Lim and Kluang chairman Gan Ping Sieu, both seen as likely candidates for party presidency, will also retire.

MCA deputy president Datuk Dr. Mah Hang Soon won the Tapah MCA chairman uncontested while vice president Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker was retained as Kuantan divisional chairman.

Two other vice presidents Datuk Lim Ban Hong and Datuk Tan Teik Cheng retained their positions as Tangga Batu and Bukit Mertajam chairmen respectively.

Two rising stars are Yong Peng state assemblyman Ling Tian Soon and Johor exco Lee Ting Han.

Ling will likely contest in party central leadership while Lee has just been elected as Johor Bahru MCA youth chief.

A total of 131 youth wings and 167 women’s wings held their elections at division level on June 10 and 11 while elections for 188 MCA divisions were held on June 11.

Except for 36 MCA divisions (19.1% of total), nine youth wings (6.9%) and seven women’s wings (4.2%) where nomination papers were filed, the rest were uncontested.