Support pours in for Wee’s election bid

MCA deputy chief thanks members who want him to run for party’s top post

JOHOR BARU: Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has received overwhelming support from many MCA divisions to run for the top post in the coming party polls in November.

The MCA deputy president thanked all divisions which passed a resolution to support him in contesting the presidency.

“I am humbled to be entrusted by party members to take charge and helm the party.

“As the sole MCA representative in Parliament, it is not an easy task to be an effective opposition member,” said the Ayer Hitam MP.

He was speaking to reporters after opening the Johor Baru MCA division annual general meeting in Stulang Laut yesterday.

Dr Wee said for now, it was important for the party to groom new talent to become an effective opposition that gives constructive criticism and views to the government.

Yesterday, a total of 191 MCA divisions throughout the country held their elections.

Dr Wee won the Johor Baru MCA division chairman post unopposed.

On a separate matter, he urged the government to reveal the guidelines used in exempting certain items from the Sales and Service Tax (SST) that will be reintroduced on Sept 1.

Citing an example, Dr Wee questioned the reason behind having toilet paper on the SST list, while gold was being exempted.

“Maybe the government wants to support the gold sector, but how about the furniture industry in which out of some 56 products, only three are being exempted from SST.

“I am worried that come Sept 1, there will be a trend of hiking prices,” he said, pointing out that people were rushing to stock up on toiletries and other items before the implementation of the 10% sales tax.

He urged the Customs Department to finalise the items that would be on the SST exemption list and to simplify it to make it clearer.