JOHOR BARU, June 8 — A Johor Baru MCA division chief hopeful said he was disappointed with party president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong who he claimed was power hungry and the hidden hand behind the nomination of the division’s top posts.

Incumbent Johor Baru MCA division deputy chief Ang Boon Heng alleged that irregularities with the intention of achieving pre-determined results took place during the last moments of the division’s nominations earlier this month.

He said it was unfair that Wee is still holding on to his position as the party’s Johor Baru division chief as he claimed that it was previously agreed that it would be relinquished to him.

"On June 1, incumbent Johor Baru MCA division Youth chief Bong Seng Heng suddenly announced that he was contesting the division’s chief post.

"Bong is also Wee’s cousin and the act of placing this nomination is believed to be from the president’s own instructions.

"Initially, when I sent the nomination form, Wee withdrew and said he would give way to me. However, before the nomination period closed, Bong had also submitted his nomination,” said Ang during a media conference at his office in Taman Sentosa here today.

Ang, who is also the MCA national legal bureau head, said the latest development clearly showed that Wee actually does not want to relinquish the division’s top post.

He said he was not aware as to why the earlier agreement with Wee was not honoured but disagreed with the recent developments that have led to another candidate contesting the party’s Johor Baru division’s top post.

"Wee’s actions also show his refusal to give up his influence at the divisional level, while he is busy at the party’s national leadership,” said the lawyer and municipal councillor.

Ang also revealed that Wee had earlier proposed several options for him: to be in the running for the Johor Baru division’s deputy chief, to continue supporting his leadership as the division’s chief or to contest for office at the national level.

"I rejected all three options and informed him that I wanted to continue serving at the division level, but on a much bigger platform, which is as the division chief.

"I have been serving as an MCA member in this division for a very long time since I was in my youth. l rose in the division’s ranks until I helmed the deputy chief position,” he said, adding that he was confident that he will be able to provide the best service to all party members and supporters if he wins.

Ang, a staunch MCA party member and social activist, was believed to be a close ally of Wee as the latter was supportive of him during the last Johor state polls early last year.

Last year, the 58-year-old Pontian native was nominated as a Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the state seat of Stulang under the Johor Baru parliamentary constituency. However, he lost to DAP’s Andrew Chen Kah Eng in a three-way contest.

Ang is the latest MCA leader who has publicly spoken out against Wee.

In May last year, embattled former Johor MCA leader Datuk Tee Siew Kiong announced his immediate resignation from the party over unresolved differences with Wee and his leadership. Tee was joined by former Ledang MCA division chief Datuk Goh Tee Tee in criticising Wee.

Both Tee and Goh were already suspended before they decided to quit rather than challenge the punishment that was described as excessive and unfair.

A total of 344 MCA Johor Baru division delegates will elect their office bearers on 11 June.