MCA names 4 new state leaders

Apr 25, 08 12:54pm
MCA today announced a minor but significant change in its state leadership line-up by naming three federal ministers and a deputy minister to take over the mantle in Selangor, Penang, Kelantan and Kedah.

Debutant ministers Ong Tee Keat, Liow Tiong Lai and Dr Ng Yen Yen have been tasked to head Selangor, Penang and Kelantan respectively. This is the first time they have been given the responsibility to head state leadership for the party.

Meanwhile, Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung will head Kedah, taking over from Beh Heng Siong.

The announcement was made by party president Ong Ka Ting after a central committee meeting today.

These were the four states which fell into opposition control following the March 8 polls. However, MCA has decided to retain its secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan as the head in Perak which is also under opposition rule now.

In Selangor, Transport Minister Ong will be replacing Ch’ng Toh Eng while MCA Wanita head and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Ng Yen Yen will be taking over from party treasurer Lau Yin Pin.

Over in Penang, Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai will assume the state leadership from deputy president Chan Kong Choy.

The announcement of their appointments were made today by the party.

It must be noted that these four states were captured by the Pakatan Rakyat in the March 8 general election. MCA was totally routed in these states.

Ong and Chor were the only MCA representatives to have won their Parliamentary seats in Selangor and Kedah respectively. The party won only two other state seats in Selangor.