Two new deputy chiefs for Sabah MCA after reshuffle
Published on: Friday, August 28, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah MCA which recently saw the leadership baton go to the party's peninsula-based Deputy President Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, now have two Deputy Chairmen.They are Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association President Datuk Francis Goh, who replaces Putatan MCA Chief Datuk Tang Lung Sing and Kalabakan MCA Chief Datuk Pang Kin Khon. Wee announced the restructuring of the Sabah MCA Liaison Committee, Thursday, saying it is to strengthen unity among party members here.
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Wee also chairs the political development committee assisted by two deputies, Pang and Goh. "We arrived at the decision (new committee members) after holding numerous consultations with all division chiefs and past leaders including ideas from former Sabah MCA Liaison chiefs, (Edward) Khoo and (Wilfred) Yong," he told reporters, here.According to Wee, Tang vacated the role after he was named special aide to MCA President Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, and thus automatically promoted as one of four advisers of Sabah MCA. Other members elevated to the advisory role are Senator Paul Kong following his appointment as a MCA Presidential Council Member, and former president Senator Wilfred Yong, who is now Sabah MCA's Executive Adviser.
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The position of former Sabah MCA Liaison Chief Datuk Edward Khoo as Lifetime Honorary Adviser is retained. Wee was named new Sabah MCA Liaison Chief on July 21, replacing Yong who helmed it for one year and seven months.
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Wee said Liow decided to replace Yong after the latter had informed the party leadership about his father being ill.He said Yong, being the only son, had to take care of his parents. Nonetheless, he said the former Sabah MCA leader will still play an active role at the national level, saying that the MCA President is expected to assign him as a "trade commissioner' in a committee set up in the central MCA to promote Malaysia-China relations. Towards this end, Wee noted Yong had always been known for being active in China, Hong Kong and Macau. He also announced that Goh, who is also the MCA Penampang Chief, would head the MCA Sabah General Election Preparatory Committee. "He (Goh) has an important committee to lead since Kepayan (which is under the opposition) is in Penampang," he said. Goh will be assisted by MCA Sabah Secretary Datuk Pamela Yong on this goal, he said. Wee also named sole MCA Assemblyman Hiew King Chew as the Government Affairs Bureau Chief, which is a new position. He noted the positions of all vice chairmen, youth chief and Wanita have been retained.Wee said he was duty-bound and had to respect the decision of the MCA President when he was appointed Sabah MCA Liaison Chief, although he was reluctant to accept it as he was non-Sabahan. Describing himself as a "freshman" Sabahan, he said it will be an uphill task to lead the Sabah chapter party which is composed of party members who are genuine Sabahans and those who had lived here for decades. He denied his appointment had to do with any in-fighting, although he admitted Sabah MCA members had their differences or at times "could not meet a consensus." "I love to have a Sabahan to lead the Sabah MCA but having said that I have to respect the decision of the president. "I hope in the near future I can accomplish my mission, and go back to the peninsula and focus on my constituents."One day when MCA becomes very strong, we have our local leaders representing the leaders in the State and Federal Government, then I can pass on the baton," he said.Wee noted his role here is a process to allow room for Sabahans to prove their worth, hoping for one who will have the talent to unite members and lead the party here. "Only then we will be able to hand over the Sabah MCA back to Sabahans," he said. On another note, Wee also agreed that Sabahans should be given more power to decide on their State, saying he would totally agree if Sabah is given some form of empowerment. "Yes, you may call it autonomy, but the exact word is empowerment. We should empower the Sabahans or give them more room to determine on certain things," he said. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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