Will Michelle Yeoh make a difference to the MCA's chances in Perak

I
f for whatever reason Malaysian-born Hollywood star Michelle Yeoh were to dump the international fast lane for the local political scene, she will be joining BN and the MCA in particular.

"Anyone can join politics if he or she has the commitment to serve the public. But Michelle Yeoh will join MCA if she takes up politics. She is a die-hard BN supporter because her father Yeok Kian Geik was the MCA Perak chairman before. She even posed as the BN's model during the last election urging people to vote BN. I would doubt her credentials as she has never been impartial all this while," Taiping MP Nga Kor Ming toldMalaysia Chronicle.

But in real life, Michelle is no freedom fighter

The news may not come as a surprise to those familair with the Ipoh scene, which is where Michelle hails from but it won't stop her fans from being disappointed.

By the same principle it is unlikely to get the Chinese community to vote MCA even if she joins the party or once again takes on the role as their ambassadress in the 13th general election, widely expected to be called within the next few months.

Even so news of Malaysia's homegrown Holllywood star stirred up quite a bit of interest when the MCA-controlled Star newspaper ran a teaser article that pundits say was meant to be a trial balloon for Michelle.

Quoting sina.com. the article said Michelle was "seriously considering making her political debut in Malaysia's next general election". She could not be reached to confirm the news but her parents reacted with thrilled 'surprise' at the news.

"I've heard the news from my friends. I find it funny. I don't know how the story came about. My daughter has never discussed politics with me," Michelle's mum tinkled with laughter.

Now 49, Michelle found fame as an actress in Hong Kong kung-fu flicks before striking it big in Hollywood with a starring role in the internationally acclaimed Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Ironically, in her most recent role, she acted as Myanmar's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyii - a complete contrast to her pro-establishment upbringing and style.

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Even Soi Lek wants to go to Perak

Whether the flailing MCA finally succeeds in persuading Michelle to enter politics, it sure looks like the party will pull out all the stops to win back some seats in Perak to stay in the good books of Prime Minister Najib Razak and his Umno party.

Even MCA president Chua Soi Lek wants to contest in Perak. Soi Lek may not be a Hollywood star like Michelle but he has certainly been called 'porn star' to his face by many prominent people including Perkasa chief, Ibrahim Ali.

And again, unlike Michelle, Soi Lek would only stand a chance if he stood in an Umno stronghold with a Malay-predominant electorate given his unpopularity with the Chinese.

Not only are most Chinese in Perak still furious with Najib for using underhanded and rough-neck tactics, including collusion with the Palace, to oust the Pakatan Rakyat state government headed by Nizar Jamaluddin, they have given up on the scandal-tainted Soi Lek.

Due to his 2007 sex scandal, they know he is vulnerable to blackmail and could never stand up to Umno to fight for their rights, pundits said.

"He shall be humiliated by Perak voters. Come and contest in Tanjung Malim or Gopeng," challenged Nizar, referring to 2 of the Pakatan's strongholds in the state.

"Chua Soi Lek is one of the greatest liability to MCA. He only commanded 39% support within MCA when he was elected president in 2010. It is well known that the sex scandal will not make him an asset to the party. We leave this to the people of Perak to decide for themselves but Chua is testing public morality and we expect the voters to reject him," said Kor Ming.