MCA has urged the Malaysia-China Business Council (MCBC) to clarify three questions regarding the appointment of former DAP member Hew Kuan Yau as its CEO.

In a statement, MCA vice-president Tan Teik Cheng urged MCBC chairperson Tan Kok Wai to respond to the questions posed – the failure of which, he said, will be regarded as an example of Pakatan Harapan's "crony political appointment."

Teik Cheng asked why Hew was chosen to helm the post, when there are many other Malaysians who hold high-level management positions in private enterprises in China.

"Secondly, according to Hew's Facebook page, he has held management positions in private companies in China from 2006 to 2010, five years in total.

"However, Kok Wai claims that Hew has nearly 10 years of experience in corporate management in China. Does Hew possess five or 10 years of experience in managing enterprises in China?" he asked.

"Thirdly, even if Hew has more than 10 years of experience, these experiences were derived before 2010. 

"After 2010, Hew has completely been out of touch with the Malaysia-China Business Council for more than eight years. How can he perform what Kok Wai claims?"

He further cautioned that as Sino-Malaysian ties benefit national economic development, the appointment of inappropriate candidates could pose a severe risk.

The MCA leader also claimed that Harapan continued to support its backers, which goes against the promises made in its election manifesto.

Last week, Kok Wai said Hew's appointment was "to further promote the businesses of the council (and to) strengthen the business cooperation between Malaysia and China."

Kok Wai, the DAP national chairperson, also said that Hew was an expert on China given his "decade-long business management experience" in the country.

Hew quit DAP in July 2016 after receiving criticism over a Facebook post stating that the South China Sea belongs to Beijing.

Popularly known as 'Superman' for wearing attire sporting the comic book hero's logo, Hew is viewed as a divisive figure due to his fiery and sometimes profanity-laden speeches.

Following the backlash that arose following his appointment to MCBC, Hew has apologised for his pro-China remarks on the South China Sea issue.