85 MCA councillors to resign

IPOH: MCA has received the resignation letters of all of its 95 local councillors throughout Perak, said party secretary-general Datuk Ong Ka Chuan.

Ong, who is also Housing and Local Government minister, said the resignations were effective immediately in light of the setting up of the new DAP-PKR-PAS coalition government.

"We directed them to resign because the principle we have with Barisan Nasional is that we cannot serve under another coalition.

"Therefore, we should give way so that (the new government) can take over," he told reporters during the swearing-in ceremony of the Perak Bonsai and Suiseki Association committee members here on Sunday night.

However, Ong stressed that the party would put in place a mechanism that would allow the MCA members to continue serving the community.

"This can be done through our MCA branches, resident associations and other non-governmental organisations not under the state," he said.

He said that although Perak was under Pakatan Rakyat, the MCA would continue to seek federal allocations to develop infrastructure and public amenities for the people.

"This is the role MCA will play so that our interests are not jeopardised," he added.

Ong also noted that Perak Mentri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin would have to appoint the new Ipoh city mayor and council presidents to ensure the smooth running of the local authority.

"All council appointments are by the state government. They have to fill up the vacancies."

-THE STAR