KUALA LUMPUR: Following the first central committee meeting on 11 November, MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat will call for the first presidential council meeting after the party elections on Friday.

According to insider information, nine central committee members who have been elected to the presidential council are: deputy secretary-general Loke Yuen Yow, deputy organising secretary Gan Hong Su, central committee members Wee Jeck Seng, Hou Kok Chung, Lee Wei Kiat, Gan Ping Shou and Wong Nai Chee, as well as appointed central committee members Datuk Chor Chee Heung and Wong Hock Aun. Among them, Wee, Hou and Chor are deputy ministers.

According to the MCA Constitution, the presidential council must be made up of central committee members, including the president, deputy president, one or more vice presidents, secretary-general, chief treasurer, organising secretary and not more than ten appointed central committee members.

From what we understand, the four elected vice presidents Datuk Kong Cho Ha, Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, Datuk Ng Yen Yen and Tan Kok Hong, as well as MCA Youth chairman Datuk Wee Ka Siong and Wanita chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, have all been appointed presidential council members.

Insider information said the appointees had received appointment and meeting notification letters signed by the party president and dated 17 December, informing them to meet at MCA headquarters at 1.00 p.m. this Friday. However, the letters did not elaborate on the meeting agendas.

According to the party Constitution, the president has the absolute power to appoint not more than ten central committee members into the presidential council, and to terminate their appointments whenever he deems appropriate.

After losing his bid for vice presidency in the recent party elections, Chor Chee Heung, who is also the deputy home minister, has been subsequently appointed a central committee member, although he has not been appointed the Kedah state liaison committee chairman.

This has raised the speculation that he might not be able to keep his deputy minister post. However, the appointment into the presidential council offers a possible twist of fate for him.

The information also said housing and local government minister Ong Ka Chuan and national unity, culture, arts and heritage deputy minister Teng Boon Soon, who were both defeated in the recent party elections, have also been told to sit in at the presidential council meeting on Friday. (By YAN PEISHAN/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)