MCA vice-president Dr Ng Yen Yen's acceptance of her appointment as Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) chairperson is not in defiance of the party's stand on rejecting government posts, MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek said today.

"If one was to read the ‘no government posts' resolution passed in the party's annual general meeting in totality, (it states) nobody should accept government posts normally recommended by the party," Chua said.

NONE However, the appointment of Ng ( left ) to MTPB, he added, was by the prime minister or by a minister, and not by the party.

"I am not saying this is not a problem, but she can take the post," he said after chairing the MCA presidential council meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

MCA has accepted Ng's explanation, he said, adding that Ng would not be referred for disciplinary action.

Chua further elaborated that MCA members are still bound by the party stand and should not accept posts such as minister and state exco positions, as recommended by the party.

When asked about his Penang Port Commission chairperson position, Chua said he had responded to the issue several times before.

“Do not politicise this. Don't bully a senior citizen like me, this is not right,” he jokingly said.

MCA deputy president condemned

Chua also criticised MCA deputy president Liow Tiong Lai, who recently advised him against unleashing harsh words on vice-president Donald Lim through the media, as "practising double standards".

"I contacted Liow yesterday, and told him that being a leader, he shouldn't be practising double standards.

"Lim has openly condemned me in very personal ways, no less than three times. Enough is enough. My patience has limits, so I needed to respond to him. Liow should act fairly and not just give advice to one side only."

However, Chua said any open spat among MCA leaders did not mean the beginning of a party split, rather the beginning of misunderstandings that would eventually lead to mutual understanding.

"Politicians always quarrel, that's why we are called politicians," he quipped.

Chua was urged to step down by party grassroots, veterans and leaders - including Lim - after the party suffered its greatest defeat during the last national polls in May.

Lim previously said that the ‘no-government-posts’ stand was Chua’s decision alone, Chua then rebutted this and challenged Lim to a debate over the matter.

Yesterday, Liow defended Lim’s freedom of speech, but advised Chua not to openly say “harsh words” to other leaders.

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