In an apparent snub to MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek, the party’s Wanita wing today appointed Rachel Ten Li Chin - the leader of a women’s pressure group against Chua’s presidency - to the wing’s central committee.

Ten was among five individuals appointed to the MCA Wanita central committee now led by new wing chief Yu Chok Tow.

The new appointments today were triggered by the resignation of Chew Mei Fun as Wanita chief. Chew resigned to fulfill her pledge to step down if Chua was elected president.

Ten previously led the ‘No Adulterous President’ (NAP) group which held a press conference during the run-up ( below ) to the March 28 MCA elections denouncing Chua’s candidacy.

"Leaders who are not of strong moral character and reputation, who succumb to lust and temptation are very worrying and questionable.

no adulterous president group protest 260310 09 "We expect our leaders to have a clean reputation, good moral standing and an exemplary personality in addition to the general attributes of a good leader," she said, during the NAP press conference on March 26, two days before the election.

Ten’s appointment is a slap in the face for Chua who now faces an uphill battle in winning support of those in the Wanita wing who have still not forgotten his sex DVD scandal.

Meanwhile, during her press conference today, Yu announced that the Wanita leadership would lobby that the government post vacated by Chew should be retained by the wing.

"We will ensure that the senator’s and deputy women, family, and community development minister’s position vacated by Chew are maintained to be accommodated by MCA Wanita," Yu said.

It was also announced during the press conference that national central committee member Heng Seai Kie would be appointed as the wing’s vice-president.

Autonomy for The Star?

In another development, Chua today skirted questions on his promise to grant The Star English more editorial autonomy a pledge made during his campaign for MCA presidency.

"There are always a lot of people and a lot of suggestions. If there is a good suggestion, we will consider," he said, after chairing a party presidential council.

NONE Chua ( left ) promised in his election manifesto to allow ‘editorial independence and self-governance’ for the best selling English daily, which is owned by the party.

The presidential council today saw the participation of Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Hua Zong) president Pheng Yin Huah, Association of Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (Acccim) president William Cheng and the Seven Clans Association President Koong Heng Sze.

The two guilds were invited to be observers in the presidential council soon after Chua took over the reins of the MCA to allow them to participate in the council’s discussions on national issues concerning the Chinese community.

Pheng told reporters later that he was satisfied with the arrangement made by MCA but was quick to add that Hua Zong remained politically neutral.

He said that Hua Zong would hold similar discussions with the opposition parties if they it was invited to do so.