It's the case of an elder brother being given a promotion to a higher party post! And why not, if the president of the party is your younger brother.

Today, Perak MCA chairperson Ong Ka Chuan ( photo ) was appointed the party's new secretary-general by his brother, party president Ong Ka Ting.

Ka Chuan, a long-time organising secretary of the party, replaced Dr Ting Chew Peh who failed in his bid for the deputy president's post last Aug 20.

Although an appointed post, the secretary-general is seen as the most powerful person at the party secretariat. Ting held the post for 15 years.

Ka Ting told reporters after announcing Ka Chuan's appointment as well as that of the 13 state chiefs and central committee members that his big brother was appointed unanimously by the central committee.

"Most of the CC members were a bit worried I may not appoint him (Ka Chuan). In fact, they told me not to worry about him being my brother as he has been in the party for a long time," he said.

No other names proposed

He said he was convinced after listening to all the views and that no other names were proposed for the post.

"More than 20 CC members spoke out on why Ka Chuan should be appointed. After listening to them and as there was no other candidate being proposed, I concurred that Ka Chuan is the right person," he added.

Asked whether he would consider appointing his defeated challenger Chua Jui Meng and Ting into any positions, Ong responded that "the line-up we have today is the best one."

To another question, he said the meeting today did not discuss any new appointments from the party to government posts.

Ka Chuan told reporters later that he has 'mixed' feelings over his appointment.

He explained that he felt a little 'difficult' initially about accepting the post because of his connection with the party president.

He also denied that his appointment was to pave the way for him to be appointed to a cabinet post.

"That is not true. I was tasked to train young members of the party in a more professional way. So I don't think the main objective is to put me in any federal post," the new secretary-general added.

Other appointments

Former Penang chief Wong Kam Hoong has been appointed the deputy secretary-general. Party deputy president Chan Kong Choy will now oversee the Penang state wing. He is also the Pahang state chief.

MCA treasurer-general Lau Yin Pin retained his old position while former Negeri Sembilan head Hon Choon Kim has been appointed the national organising secretary with Yew Teong Look retaining his position as his deputy.

Ka Ting will take over as the Negeri Sembilan state chief, as well as retaining his position as the Selangor head.

Former Perlis head Chor Chee Heong was however dropped and replaced by Oui Ah Lan, the second Wanita leader to head a state.

And as expected MCA leaders with federal government posts who lost in the recent party elections were appointed as central committee members.

Deputy Home Affairs Minister Tan Chai Ho, Deputy Higher Education Minister Fu Ah Kiow and Federal Territories Ministry parliamentary secretary Yew Teong Look all lost in the party polls.

Today's central committee meeting was the first since the party polls on Aug 20.