KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 27): Recent electoral setbacks have brought the once mighty Malaysian Chinese Association or MCA, who once fought on the frontlines for Malaya's independence, to its knees.

From its heyday, when the party had as many as 31 parliamentary seats and 76 state seats, it is now left with just 1 parliamentary seat and 2 state seats.

Its upcoming party polls on Nov 4 may seem like the contenders are left wrangling for pitiful political influence, unless one looks at the business empire that comes with control of the party.

Various reports have pegged the value of the assets under the party at as much as RM3 billion, but former president Tan Sri Dr Chua Soi Lek tells The Edge Malaysia in its cover story for the week of Oct 29 - Nov 4 that the latest figure is closer to RM2 billion. Chua was party president from March 2010 to December 2013.

What is his estimate based on? What are the notable assets the party has, and what are they worth now? Speculation has also been rife about the party owning Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman and TAR University College -- which it founded -- and the amount of assets the two have.

The three contenders who are vying for the presidency -- Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, Gan Ping Sieu and Ngoo Teck Cheong -- also each has their own plans if they become the new chief. What are their intentions?

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