news feature Lim Guan Teik appears to be unfazed by the upcoming Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia election, though it is possible that the presidential post that he has held for two terms may be challenged by a newcomer.
Instead of embarking on an open and aggressive campaign, he continues doing what he does best meeting people from various countries and backgrounds to promote economic prospects for the Chinese business circle.
Yesterday evening, Lim, 67, was at the ACCCIM office receiving a Macau business delegation keen to attract foreign investors into their country.
Reporters waited patiently for Lim as he met with the delegation, hoping that he would shed some light on his strategy for the ACCCIM polls.
Over the past week, Chinese newspapers reported that an opposing faction was fielding a young candidate to challenge him and bring about "internal reform to strengthen ties with the government".
However, a tightlipped Lim dashed the reporters' hope and invited them to join him for dinner instead.
"Thanks for coming. We are having dinner after this, would you like to join us?" he asked despite being well aware that the press was interested in the ACCCIM election, and not the sumptuous cuisine.
Hot topic
This Saturday's election at the association's annual general assembly in Kedah has become the hot topic among the Chinese business circle at the moment.
ACCCIM, established in 1947, is seen as one of the 'big four' spheres of influence among Chinese Malaysians Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (SCAH) for social and cultural issues; United Chinese School Committees' Association of Malaysia and United Chinese School Teachers's Association of Malaysia (collectively known as Dong Jiao Zong) for education; and Chinese newspapers for public forum.
Power struggle within these influential organisations is well and alive and their elections are vigorously fought.
ACCCIM, which has clout over more than 20,000 Chinese companies, individuals, and trade associations, has one of the most-watched elections.
And for this year's election, another factor which has been stirring interest in the polls, is the president himself.
Lim heads Muda Holdings, a public-listed company which manufactures paper products. He is also the chairperson of Unico Holdings, a major shareholder company in Unico Desa Plantations which has extensive interests in oil palm plantations.
The prominent businessman enjoys a high standing in the community and a good relationship with the government.
Nanyang deal
But last May, when MCA took over two Chinese newspapers Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press , ACCCIM under Lim's leadership opposed the deal openly.
Lim had urged the political party to dispose all its shares in accordance with the wishes of the Chinese community.
He even proposed that a five-member consortium, led by him, buy over all the Nanyang shares held by MCA's investment arm, Huaren Holdings.
One of the consortium members was former SCAH president and businessman Ngan Ching Wen, who is known to be close to Gerakan, MCA's rival for Chinese vote in the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.
The proposal fell through when MCA offered only 20 percent of the Nanyang shares to the consortium. Lim rejected the offer and so began a new chapter in the MCA-Nanyang debacle.
Several MCA leaders were said to have been slighted by the rebuff because they did not expect the Lim-led ACCCIM to oppose the acquisition.
The man speculated to challenge Lim this Saturday is Wee Kok Tiong a Sarawak United People's Party senator and newly elected president of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sarawak.
Wee's late father Boon Ping is Lim's predecessor who served as ACCCIM president from 1978 to 1998.
'Misled' challenger
The challenger is however seen by election observers as well as ACCCIM's present council members as a front man "misled and planted" by a pro-MCA faction.
One source claimed that a prominent businessman from the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce is masterminding the challenge.
The businessman, who was once a Gerakan member and state leader, is known for being antagonistic towards the party's leadership in the state.
In recent days, the businessman who is now close to MCA top leaders was quoted by Chinese dailies as saying that a change was needed in the ACCCIM leadership to improve its cooperation with the establishment.
The statement evinced quick response from several office bearers in ACCCIM. Council member Lam Kam Sang, a Pahang timber tycoon allied to MCA's Team B, had called on all ACCCIM members to throw their weight behind Lim.
Meanwhile, Wee is on a nationwide tour to mobilise support. He had neither denied nor confirmed the speculation about the challenge but many council members think the young Turk, is priming himself for it.
Fuelling the speculation was the unusually high number of Sarawakian delegates 150 of them who will make up a quarter of the total number of delegates are expected to turn up this Saturday.
Previous AGMs have seen only an average attendance of 350 delegates but 425 delegates have registered for this year's meet.
However, one council member said it was unlikely that Lim would be ousted considering his contribution to ACCCIM since becoming its helmsman in 1998.
Among others, Lim had called for the amendment of the association's constitution which resulted in a maximum three-term limit for the top posts.
Lim was also credited for successfully lobbying for Malaysia to host the 7th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention, a major international event which will be attended by Chinese corporate and individuals next year.
After the 1997 financial crisis, when Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad called on Chinese entrepreneurs to help their problem-ridden bumiputra counterparts, Lim pledged full support for this proposal.
Ultimate verdict
Whatever said and done, the ultimate verdict for this Saturday's contest still lies in the secret ballots of ACCCIM constituent members, namely 17 Chinese chambers of commerce and industry located throughout the country.
Each chamber will have one vote in deciding who will become the next president, deputy president, and six vice-presidents.
Another 13 elected representatives will also be voted into the national council, after which up to five other members will be appointed by the council.
According to one council member, Lim is expected to rope in 11 of the 17 votes.
On Lim's aloofness about the contest, one supporter said that this was the president's style of "doing what is necessary in a gracious and face-saving manner for all" pro-Lim council members are trying to convince Wee to abort his plan to contest.
Thus who knows, come Saturday, there may not be a contest after all.