Soi Lek left out of MCA state panels

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek was suspiciously left out of the new state liaison committee line-up announced yesterday, prompting rumours that he has been sidelined.

By convention, the deputy president would lead at least one of the 13 state liaison committees.

Asked to explain why, MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat kept the secret to himself, pointing to “prerogative powers vested in the president”.

“Don’t ask me why. In fact all the appointments made were based on the party constitutional power vested in me. I followed exactly what is stipulated in the constitution.

“I don’t need to tell the whole world my prime considerations. When we make decisions, we have our considerations,” he said in a press conference after chairing the MCA’s first central committee (CC) meeting since the Oct 18 party elections.

Asked why Chua was not appointed to any post in the party bureaus, he said: “He has (been appointed). Please check the list.”

Chua was made the government policy monitoring bureau chief while the disciplinary board which is usually led by the deputy president is now under the charge of party veteran Datuk Ng Cheng Keat.

Asked if the party CC has endorsed the new line-up after the five-hour meeting, he said: “Yes, of course. That’s why I said this was raised at the CC meeting.”

To a question on why he chose to lead the Johor state liaison committee, he said: “No reasons should be given. What I want to say is what serves the party best. That’s all.”

Chua is based in Johor, which is one of the most important state liaison committees. It has the second largest number of party delegates and currently houses half of MCA’s members of parliament.

On whether his decision would affect the unity of the party, Ong said: “Everyone including yourself has the freedom to interpret things. All political parties all over the world have to make certain decisions. I think you cannot predict your future too, right? I need to add that when I made these decisions, I of course, have to take care of the party’s interest.”

He declined to comment about the possible cabinet reshuffle.

Chua when met by reporters after the meeting, answered questions with his usual brand of sarcasm. “The president has already said what needs to be said. I have no comments. He has already said very clearly that this is his prerogative.”

Asked if he accepted the appointments, he said: “I never said I accepted it. He already said this is his prerogative.”

On the question of whether he is happy with the outcome, Chua said: “Whether I am happy or unhappy is immaterial. Whether the members are happy is more important.”

In the line-up released yesterday, MCA CC member Datuk Wong Foon Meng was unexpectedly appointed as the new MCA secretary-general.

The 54-year-old leader from Terengganu has been the Senate deputy president since 2004 but was a relatively low-key leader in the party.

Prominent entrepreneur and Senator Tan Sri Tee Hock Seng emerged as the new party treasurer-general.

Tee is the group managing director of Bina Puri Holdings Bhd, a listed construction company. He is also the MCA Cheras chairman. Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung who failed in his bid to wrest a vice-president post in the party elections, was appointed into the CC.

Pauline Puah
The Edge
13/11/08

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