Newly-minted MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek today picked his running mate Kong Cho Har, who lost the deputy president race in last month's party polls, to fill the powerful secretary-general's post.

With this appointment, Kong, who is housing and local government minister, is expected to keep his ministerial post despite being knocked out by Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai.

NONE He has also named two leaders who are aligned to rival factions as part his team of office bearers - Heng Seai Kei, who is aligned to former president Ong Tee Keat, as deputy organizing secretary, while Dr Hou Kok Chong (aligned to former president Ong Ka Ting) is named deputy secretary-general.

Both are deputy ministers.

The MCA boss, who made the announcement after holding the first CC meeting, has named himself as the state chief in Johor, his stronghold, as well as Perak.

Chua also increased the 25-member central committee with eight appointed members - most of whom are his loyalists.

He has also re-appointed both Youth chief Wee Ka Siong and Wanita chief Chew Mei Fun in the presidential council. According to Chua yesterday, both his rivals - Tee Keat and Ka Ting - have declined his invitation to be part of the council.

The following is the full list

Secretary-general: Kong Cho Har

Treasurer: Tan Chai Ho

Organising secretary: Tee Siew Keong

Deputy sec-gen: Hou Kok Chung

Deputy treasurer: Edward Khoo

Deputy Organising sec: Heng Seai Kie

Perlis: Por Choo Chor

Kedah: Chong Itt Chew

Penang and Kelantan: Ng Yen Yen

Pahang: Liow Tiong Lai

Selangor: Donald Lim

Perak and Johor: Chua Soi Lek

Kuala Lumpur: Tan Chai Ho

Malacca: Gan Tian Loo

Negeri Sembilan: Yeow Chai Tham

Terengganu: Toh Chin Yau

Sabah: Khoo Keok Hai

Eight appointed CC members

Mah Hang Soon

Tan Chin Meng

Lau Chiek Tuan

Koar Kar Huay

Edward Khoo

Khoo Soo Seang

Ei Kim Hock

Yeow Chai Tham

MCA top posts for 2010-11

President: Dr Chua Soi Lek

Deputy president: Liow Tiong Lai

Secretary-general: Kong Cho Ha

Vice-presidents:

Dr Ng Yen Yen

Donald Lim

Chor Chee Heung

Gan Ping Sieu

Wee Ka Siong

Chew Mei Fun 

VIDEO l 6.49 min