KUALA LUMPUR: It was no surprise that Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat was dropped as Transport Minister in the cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday, June 1, especially as he had lost the MCA presidency — and his mandate — to his challenger Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek in the party election in March. The appointment that piques the popular interest is the naming of Soi Lek's son, Labis MP Chua Tee Yong, as deputy minister of agriculture and agro-based industry. For the young leader, it is a quick rise indeed.

For the past 12 months, the odds have been stacked against Ong, who courted retribution by staking his reputation on being transparent about the Port Klang Free Zone scandal, centring on its accumulated debts that could potentially hit RM12.46 billion. While the Opposition crucified the government over the scandal and Ong earned the ire of Barisan Nasional (BN) colleagues because of the political fallout from the case, he won the approval of the public for delivering on his promise to reveal the details of the position review of the troubled project.

On the party front, Ong lost points with the community for his role in the bitter MCA leadership crisis that took nearly 18 months to resolve. At the root of the conflict was the tension between Ong and his then deputy Chua, who could not see eye to eye. After two rounds of EGMs, a party truce and finally re-election for the top party posts, Ong found himself out in the cold while Chua ascended to the pinnacle.

From then on, it was quite clear that it was only a matter of time before Ong would lose his ministerial post, too.

In the end, Ong had to pay the political price despite fulfilling the responsibilities of his portfolio. According to data obtained from media reports, the transport ministry has been meeting its targets under the Government Transformation Plan (GTP) and National Key Results Areas (NKRA).

One MCA leader did not think it was strange that Ong was dropped from the cabinet.

"There is no doubt about Ong being shuffled out. He may enjoy the support of the public, but he does not enjoy the support of his party and president," said a party leader.

When suggested that Chua would have earned much goodwill had he kept Ong in his post, the party leader said: "Ong remains a threat if he continues to have a platform. Chua is just consolidating his position as most leaders would do after a battle."

Chua has kept his word that he will not be pursuing a cabinet post. Further, the appointments of vice-president Datuk Chor Chee Heung as minister of housing and local government, and senators Datuk Donald Lim and Gan Ping Sieu as deputy ministers can be seen as the traditional rewards for the victors and also a move to close ranks. However, the appointment of Tee Yong as deputy minister is a different matter.

Quiet and earnest, Tee Yong, 33, is as young as MPs get. His appointment points to a bigger role in party and national affairs.

A party insider noted: "He appointed his son to the presidential council, then he appointed his son to oversee the party assets and now the son is made deputy minister." That meant Chua was solidifying his position, he said.

Indeed, Chua's hand is somewhat constrained as MCA has only 15 MPs after the debacle of the March 8, 2008 general election. Other than first-time MP Tee Yong, and Gelang Patah MP Tan Ah Eng who has never been appointed to a government post, the remaining 13 hold or have held positions at one time or other. Chua could not also recommend the appointment of former ministers Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting, Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan and Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn to junior posts.

For Tee Keat, it is a big change from his large platform as party president and cabinet minister to the life of a backbencher for the first time in his long career.

Tee Yong, on the other hand, will be watched to see if he can be the breath of fresh air that his party and the government need to face an increasingly demanding and informed electorate.