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Ka Chuan replaced as MCA sec-gen |
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Posted by admin
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Tuesday, 11 November 2008 20:36 |
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Giam Say Khoon, The Sun MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat today named Dewan Negara deputy president Datuk Wong Foon Meng as the new party secretary-general, replacing Datuk Ong Ka Chuan who lost in his bid for the deputy presidency at party elections almost a month ago.
Ong announced his decision after the party central committee met for five hours at MCA headquarters here, ending a guessing game over whether he will retain Ka Chuan, the elder brother of former president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting who did not to seek re-election to take responsibility for the party's dismal showing at the March 8 general election. This decision effectively curtails the rise of Ka Chuan, who is also housing and local government minister. He had lost to Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek in the quest to be number two in the country's largest Chinese-based political party. It is now unlikely that he will be retained in the cabinet as well.
The secretary-general's post is a prized one as it ranks third in the party hierarchy after the president and deputy president.
Ong told a press conference after the meeting that they had spent time going through the line-up and it was a list endorsed by the central committee.
Asked why Wong was appointed, he said: "Do not ask me why. In fact, all the appointments made were based on the party constitutional powers vested in me and I followed exactly what was stipulated in the constitution. I don't need to tell the whole world my prime considerations. Of course, I have my rationale but I do not need to share with anyone."
Ong also threw a surprise when he did not name his deputy, Chua, who is a supremo in Johor MCA, as liaison chairman for any of the 13 states, a departure from traditional practice. Instead Ong will now be liaison chief for Johor.
Again, Ong said it was his prerogative and he gave no reason for his decision. He however added that Chua has been made government policy monitoring bureau chief.
When approached, Chua refused to comment on this matter, saying: "He (Ong) has already made it clear that it is his prerogative."
Asked if he accepted the decision, he said: "I never said I accept."
He said it was immaterial whether he was happy or not. "The members' happiness is more important. But I do not know if the members are happy."
Asked if he raised any questions during the meeting on the decisions made, Chua said: "Why should I?"
On whether he felt he was sidelined, he told reporters to analyse it themselves, and that he did not feel disappointed with the decisions.
Wong said he thanked the party president for his decision to appoint him as the secretary-general and he will do his best to serve the party.
Asked if he was surprised and felt pressure to hold the post, he said: “The party had given me some time to consider on the offer. I will do my best and from the experience I have in the party and government administration, I will make full use of it to enhance and strengthen the party”.
The other appointments:
> Corporate leader and senator Tan Sri Tee Hock Seng was named treasurer-general (replacing Tan Sri Lau Yin Pin)
> Yoo Wei How, political secretary to Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, is the new organising-secretary (replacing Datuk Hon Choon Kim) The new state liaison chiefs are:
Perlis – Wanita chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun
Kedah - Kubang Pasu division chief Lim Lye Huat
Penang – vice-president Datuk Liow Tiong Lai
Perak – vice-president Datuk Kong Cho Ha
Selangor – Senator Datuk Wong Foon Meng
Federal Territories – treasurer-general Tan Sri Tee Hock Seng
Negri Sembilan – central committee member Datuk Yew Chai Thiam
Malacca – Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong
Johor – president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat
Pahang – central committee member Datuk Hoh Khai Mun
Terengganu – state exco Toh Chin Yew
Kelantan – vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen
Sabah – incumbent state chief Datuk Edward Khoo Keok Hai
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