KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 - Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan has submitted his resignation as Housing and Local Government Minister, amid speculation that Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha has been slated by his party as the replacement.The Malaysian Insider understands that the former MCA secretary-general submitted his resignation letter to president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat shortly after his deputy presidential defeat to Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek in the Oct 18 party elections.
It basically leaves his future in the Cabinet in the hands of Tee Keat who will have to decide on a list of recommended names to submit to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi. Kong's name has been bandied about as Tee Keat's choice to replace Ka Chuan. The speculation suggests Soi Lek will not be recommended to be a member of the Cabinet.
Ka Chuan's resignation letter is addressed to Abdullah who has the prerogative to decide on the Cabinet but by convention bases his selection on recommendations by component party leaders.
It is understood that the letter is, however, still in Tee Keat's hands and the MCA president has yet to make any statement on Ka Chuan's Cabinet seat.
When met by reporters in Parliament today, the Transport Minister refused to confirm or deny whether Ka Chuan has resigned.
"I have not made any statement on the rumour and so far I have not produced the list to the PM," he said.
Earlier, Tee Keat told The Malaysian Insider that "once I submit the list, whether or not there is such a letter becomes a non-starter," his reasoning being that Ka Chuan's place in the Cabinet relied on his upcoming recommendations being accepted by the Prime Minister and not whether Ka Chuan has resigned or not.
When asked when he would submit the list, he replied, "We will cross the bridge when we come to it."
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