PETALING JAYA, July 18 — Former MCA vice-president Datuk Chua Jui Meng, who lost two bids for the party’s top post, confirmed his worst-kept secret and officially joined Parti KeAdilan Rakyat (PKR) today in a boost for the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) that has been wracked by differences between its three allies.

It is understood the former health minister had submitted his forms earlier and today’s announcement at a PKR forum was a formality, party sources said. Former MCA Senator David Yeoh and former Lumut MP Yap Yit Thong also announced he was joining PKR to applause from the 1,00 members at the forum in Bandar Sunway.

Chua and PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim were earlier enthusiastically greeted with loud cheers when they turned up at 3.30pm for the “The Truth Behind the Scandals: Perak, PKFZ and the BN Conspiracy” forum held at the Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa.

The party members also strung up a banner that said “Congratulations to Chua for joining PKR”.

“I am resigning as a member of MCA and with the permission of PKR’s de facto leader, I’m announcing that I’m joining PKR,” Chua said as the crowd shouted “Reformasi”.

“I’m convinced that today I’m standing on the right side of history, especially at this defining moment of history, I’m joining this party.”

The 64-year-old lawyer quit as Bakri MCA division chief two days ago, after leading the division for the past 23 years. He ran for the MCA president’s post twice but lost to Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting in 2005 and Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat last year.

But he told his division he would stick with MCA and was giving up his post to allow fresh blood, asking them to give their undivided support to Ong as party president.

The MCA did not pick Chua to defend the Bakri parliamentary seat in Election 2008, leading to its loss to DAP’s Er Teck Hwa and making it the sole opposition seat in Johor.

His defection is the latest sign of fractious politics in the MCA as deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek was recently issued a notice to appear before the party disciplinary board over his 2007 DVD sex scandal.

Among veteran Barisan Nasional leaders who have recently defected to PKR include former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, MCA’s former deputy Wanita leader Dr Tan Yew Kew and former Gerakan veep Dr Tan Tee Kwong.

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