KUALA LUMPUR: From what Sin Chew Daily has found out, housing and local government minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan has submitted his resignation letter to MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, thus allowing the party to decide on his ministerial post.

From the reliable information we have obtained, Ka Chuan has met the new party president and submitted his resignation letter, after being defeated in his bid for deputy presidency in the recent party elections.

Prior to this, Ka Chuan said during an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily that he would surrender his party and Cabinet posts to the party and party president to decide.

Not under pressure

As such, his resignation has been submitted on his own accord and not under any pressure from anyone.

According to the normal proceedings, a minister's resignation letter should be submitted to the prime minister. As such, Ka Chuan's resignation letter should have also been submitted to prime minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

It has been known that Ka Chuan first submitted the letter to MCA president as it is the president's power to recommend any party leader for a Cabinet post. Besides, this is also to facilitate the president's arrangement for Cabinet posts.

It has also been understood that party president Ong Tee Keat has yet to act on Ka Chuan's resignation, including reporting it to the prime minister.

Minister of seven months

Ka Chuan left for Tehran, Iran, for an official visit on Monday night, and is expected to return to Malaysia later this week.

Former MCA secretary-general and Perak state liaison committee chairman, Ong Ka Chuan was elected as the MP for Tanjung Malim in the March general elections, and was later recommended for a ministerial post after then party president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting announced that he would not become a Cabinet minister.

Then vice president Ong Tee Keat, Youth chairman Liow Tiong Lai and Wanita chief Ng Yen Yen were also made Cabinet ministers at the same time.

After becoming a minister for slightly more than seven months, Ka Chuan lost his bid for deputy presidency to rival Chua Soi Lek during the 18 October party elections. (By KOK SU CHIN/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)