MCA's Leong is Kedah's newest exco member

Leong Yong Kong

ALOR SETAR: The newest Kedah state executive council member Datuk Dr Leong Yong Kong (pic) will chair the Environment, Chinese Community Affairs, Health and Unity Committee.

He is the first MCA leader to be appointed to a government post after the party passed a resolution to accept posts at all government levels at an extraordinary general meeting on Feb 23.

Dr Leong, 54, who is state MCA deputy chairman and Gurun assemblyman, pledged his oath of office as the ninth state exco member before Kedah Council of Regency chairman Tunku Bendahara Tan Sri Tunku Annuar Sultan Badlishah yesterday at the Istana Anak Bukit here.

Also present were Kedah Council of Regency members, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, state exco members and Dr Leong’s wife Datin Lim Yang Kwee.

State legal advisor Datuk Azmi Ariffin also took his oath of office at the ceremony.

Azmi headed the narcotics unit of the prosecution department in the Attorney-General’s Chambers before he was appointed as Kedah legal advisor in November last year.

Dr Leong filled the seat reserved for the MCA in the state exco line-up after Barisan Nasional took over the state administration in the general election last May.

Another position has been reserved for Gerakan.

In 2011, the MCA annual general meeting decided to decline all government posts if the party performed badly in the 13th general election.

Dr Leong said he would give his best to serve Kedah and the rakyat.

State MCA liaison committee chairman Datuk Lee Chee Leong said Dr Leong can perform well and contribute to the development of the state.

“But he has to work extra hard to fulfil the rakyat’s expectation,” he added.

Lee, who is also one of the four MCA vice-presidents, said he had submitted 24 names to Mukhriz for consideration as councillors.