'Superman' Hew is the new Malaysia-China Business Council chief

PETALING JAYA: Former DAP member Hew Kuan Yau (pic) has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of the Malaysia-China Business Council (MCBC).

Tan Kok Wai, who is Malaysia's special envoy to China, said the appointment is effective from Feb 1.

"MCBC is a government-linked organisation with its Chinese counterpart, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) in China.

"The appointment is to further promote and strengthen business cooperation between Malaysia and China in order to benefit the economic development of the country," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Jan 30).

Popularly known by his moniker "Superman Hew" for often appearing in T-shirts with the superhero's crest at party events, Hew is known as an outspoken person for his fiery and sometimes, controversial speeches.

He resigned from DAP in July 2016 after receiving flak over his Facebook post stating that "The South China Sea belongs to China. Don't oppose China just because you're anti-communist".

Tan noted that Hew is an expert on China, given his decade-long business management experience in China.

"He studied in Guangzhou and Hong Kong and has a PhD in History from the Chinese University of Hong Kong," he said.

Tan also noted that Hew is a competent candidate for the position for his good grasp and understanding of international diplomacy following his experience and engagement with the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY), an international youth NGO with the United Nations.

MCBC was established in 2002, aimed at forging strong ties to benefit the business communities of Malaysia and China.

The government-linked organisation serves as a platform for Malaysian businessmen in China and vice versa to discuss and resolve bilateral issues.

It also promotes partnerships between Malaysian and Chinese entrepreneurs and provides information on business and investment opportunities to its members.

Former leaders of MCBC included former MCA chairman Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting and former deputy prime minister Tun Musa Hitam, who served as its chairmen in 2011 and 2004 respectively.