Former MCA president Ong Ka Ting has slammed the party's present leadership for "passing the buck" whenever something went wrong.

Commenting on Yip Sun Onn's resignation on Monday as Titi Tinggi state assemblyman - supposedly triggered after he was dropped as exco member in line with the party's rotation arrangement - Ka Ting said:

"The current leadership could always make a review according to the situation. However, when it faces a problem, it passes the buck to me... so, I do not know what logic this is.

"You cannot say that because there was understanding on something before, the leadership blindly continued... I am not saying this particular decision (rotation system) is right or wrong.

"The principle is this. The leadership of the day should be courageous enough to shoulder the responsibility on any decision it makes... (they) cannot say it was decided (during) Ong Ka Ting's time," he told reporters during the meeting with Sabah MCA delegates and grassroots in Kota Kinabalu today.

He said that while there were many good things initiated by him, the credit had gone to different people.

However, in Hong Kong this afternoon, Prime Minister Najib Razak disclosed that Yip was still with the Barisan Nasional and would not be resigning as Titi Tinggi assemblyman.

Najib said he had received confirmation on the matter from Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Perlis Mentri Besar Mohd Isa Sabu.

Tee Keat: Decision made by previous leaders

Yip was said to have been upset that he was not re-appointed state executive councillor at the swearing-in of elected representatives at Istana Arau last Friday, where Indera Kayangan state assemblyman Dr Por Choo Chor was appointed instead.

Asked to comment, MCA president Ong Tee Keat yesterday said the party had no choice but to follow the rotation system for its representatives in the Perlis exco line-up, as it was agreed upon by the previous leadership (Ka Ting).

Tee Keat said he was made to understand there was an understanding between Ka Ting and the Perlis government that the exco member’s post was to be rotated between the two MCA assemblymen in Perlis, whereby, whoever took up the post would only be allowed to serve half a term.

Ka Ting said that previously, if there was anything of such nature, it was discussed at the central committee-level, adding that he did not discuss it with state leaders.

Thus, he said, the next course of action should depend on the current leadership which took over from him.

"I hope all interested parties consult each other, find amicable solutions. I am always concerned. Although in this matter, I should not interfere because I am no longer in the central committee, we must face the challenges for the future," added the former party president.