KUCHING: Temenggong nominee Tan Joo Phoi is ready to relinquish all key political posts he is holding to pave the way for his official appointment.
Presently, Tan is SUPP deputy secretary-general, Batu Kawah branch chairman, 10th Mile sub-branch chairman and BN Stampin parliamentary liaison committee chairman. Met by reporters at a function here yesterday, he said a recent state cabinet meeting decided that the highest-ranked community leader should not hold any key posts in a political party.
He added that such a decision was to make sure the top community leader would remain as impartial as possible in delivering service.
Asked whether he had already submitted his resignation from the posts to the party, Tan said he would do so only after he is given the official letter of appointment.
He was quick to point out that relinquishing the posts would not stop him from serving the community as usual.
To a question, he said he learnt that the letter of appointment had already been delivered from the State Secretary’s Office to the Resident’s Office.
He disclosed that he was already being addressed as ‘Temenggong’ during his recent visits to the Resident’s Office.
Asked how soon he could expect to receive the letter of appointment, Tan believed he would be given the official paper sooner rather than later. On Thursday, SUPP president and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian posted a congratulatory message on his personal Facebook page that read “Heartiest Congratulations to #Temenggong Dato Tan Joo Phoi”.
Lu Kim Yong is the current Chinese Temenggong in Kuching. His term of office expires on Aug 31.