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Sunday, February 15, 2009

> Perak exco lineup unacceptable


As the Perak political crisis continues to boil, a new problem is brewing due to the appointment of a Chinese affairs adviser from Gerakan to the new minted menteri besar Zambry Abd Kadir.

According to MCA deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek, he had received many complaints over the appointment of Gerakan deputy president Chang Ko Youn as Zambry's adviser.

"MCA is solely Chinese-based. Gerakan claims itself to be a multiracial party, then why is Gerakan representing the Chinese?" asked Chua in his latest blog entry today.

Chang, along with MIC vice-president S Veerasingam, were appointed Zambry's Chinese and Indian affairs advisers respectively with state exco status on Wednesday. 

Both Gerakan and MIC do not hold a single state seat in the state assembly. Two other appointed advisers are from Umno.

Of the six exco members appointed on Tuesday, MCA has only one representative in its sole Perak state rep Dr Mah Han Soon (Chenderiang). Five others are from Umno. 

Traditionally, MCA is appointed to at least two of the 10 exco posts while Gerakan is appointed to one.

‘Appoint, then inform’

Chua said that currently, there is an over representation from Umno in the exco lineup and the public would be comparing the exco lineup against the Pakatan Rakyat exco which was ousted last week. 

"I wonder whether the new MB has ever discussed with other BN components before the appointment of advisers or is it a question of “after appointment, then only inform”.

"Hence, today, there is the unacceptable power sharing at the state level. I am sure this will be fully exploited by Pakatan in the coming by-elections," he added. 

Chua ended his blog post by saying that he would raise this issue at the upcoming MCA central committee meeting on Sunday - Malaysiakini.