Chua Jui Meng quits as Bakri MCA chief

By Hamdan Haji Abdullah, The Star

Former MCA vice-president Datuk Chua Jui Meng resigned as Bakri MCA division chairman, a post he has held for seven terms.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, he said the decision was made “solely to unify the division which has been split since the March 8, 2008 general election.”

He said although many parties had asked him to continue to lead the division, he felt it was time for him to give way to a younger leader.

“I have relinquished my post as chairman of the division to the deputy chairman Sia Ka Tuan.

“However, all posts in the party held by members which I appointed will not be affected,” he said after chairing his last meeting as the division’s head Thursday.

Chua, also a former Health Minister, said he hoped the acting chairman would be able to unite and strengthen Bakri MCA.

He also urged committee members to give their full support to party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and to be more committed in their political struggles for the community and the people.

When asked about joining PKR, he said he had been linked with such rumours for several years and claimed he was once approached by an opposition party.

However, he said he had no intention of leaving the MCA and would continue to fight for reforms within the party as stated in his election manifesto when he contested the MCA presidency in the party polls last year.

He also said that he wanted to rest after having served the MCA and the Bakri division for more than 23 years, but added that he would announce his future political plans “when the time arrives.”