KUALA LUMPUR: MCA did not recommend Pulai Sebatang State assemblyman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong to be Johor executive councillor, clarified party president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.
He said Tee’s appointment was a decree by the Sultan of Johor, who has the power to do so because of the uniqueness of the state constitution.
“It was also the Sultan’s aspiration to have Chinese representation in the state government as I had received a call from the Johor Palace’s secretary that the Ruler wanted to appoint Tee as the state executive councillor, and I had also explained to the secretary about MCA’s stand to reject all government posts.
“I had also consulted the prime minister on Monday, on the Johor Sultan’s decision and the prime minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) had advised me to follow the Sultan’s decree,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He appealed to the public and MCA members to understand the unique situation in Johor, as well as the Sultan’s power and authority.
He stressed that MCA would maintain its decision to reject all government posts.
MCA had passed a resolution in 2011 that it will not take any government post if it did not perform better in the 13th General Election.
“I acknowledge that there are also some states which have reserved state executive councillor vacancies for Chinese elected representatives,” noted Dr Chua. — Bernama