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MCA's Pulai Sebatang assemblyperson Tee Siew Kiong, who has gone against the party's decision not to accept any government post, may face disciplinary action, MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek said today.

In a statement issued hours after Tee was sworn in this morning as the Johor state executive councillor in charge of tourism, domestic trade and consumerism, Chua said MCA did not recommend Tee to be in the state cabinet.

NONE It was the decree of the Johor sultan to appoint Tee ( right in photo ) as a state exco member, he said.

Chua stressed that MCA would maintain its decision, which was endorsed by its annual general meetings in 2011 and 2012, to reject all government posts.

"The MCA central committee will deliberate on Tee's case and he may face disciplinary action over the appointment as Johor executive councillor."

However, the former minister, who is currently facing pressure to resign following MCA's abysmal defeat in the general election, said the Johor ruler had the power to appoint the menteri besar and the state exco because of the uniqueness of the state constitution.

"It was also the sultan's aspiration to have Chinese representation in the state government. I received a call from the Johor palace secretary that the ruler wanted to appoint Tee as a state executive councillor and I explained to the secretary about MCA's stand to reject all government posts.

"I also consulted the prime minister on Monday about the Johor sultan's decision and the prime minister advised me to follow the sultan's decree," Chua said.

He said the rulers of the other states did not exercise their authority to appoint MCA elected representatives to their state exco, but some states have reserved state exco seats for Chinese representatives.

"I would also like to appeal to the people and the MCA members, hoping that they will understand this unique situation in Johor as well as the Johor sultan's power and authority," he added.

'Son of Johor'

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Tee revealed that he has explained the party's stance to the sultan but the ruler insisted that at least one Chinese representative is needed in the state cabinet to unite Johoreans.

Tee said he then consulted Chua and the latter had communicated with the prime minister, and both shared the view that Tee should comply with the ruler's decree.

"I am both a member of MCA and a son of Johor. This is the decree of Johor sultan, I have no other choice."

Asked if the sultan wants a Chinese representative in the state government or had specified that he should be an exco member, Tee said the question should be directed to the sultan but the latter had only summoned him yesterday afternoon.

He added that the appointment may be due to his 14-year experience in the state assembly, including his tenure as Chua's aide when the latter was state exco, and his two terms as state assemblyperson.

Tee's action has been considered as an embarrassment to Chua as Tee is known to be as one of his proteges.

Tee was political secretary to Chua when he was in the federal cabinet, and Chua appointed him the party's national organising secretary after he became MCA president.

Last Saturday, MCA's presidential council meeting chaired by Chua reaffirmed the party's position to abide by its general assembly resolution not to join the government since its general election performance was worse than in 2008.

MCA's two-seat quota in the Johor executive council has been slashed to one following its worst-ever electoral performance in the state and nationwide.

Of the 16 state seats it contested in Johor, MCA won only two, Pulai Sebatang and Paloh. Tee won the Malay-majority constituency with a reduced majority of 3,412 votes.

Pemanis assemblyperson Lau Chin Hoon, the sole Gerakan representative in the state who is now in his third term, was not appointed into the state cabinet despite earlier speculation that he might get the job if MCA rejects it.