Chong Sin Woon is MCA's new sec-gen

MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon.

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Chong Sin Woon has been appointed MCA's new secretary-general.

Chong said it was “timely” for him to serve the party in this post.

“I have been serving the party since I graduated from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, for about 19 years, and the party has given me a lot of opportunities.

“After resting for more than a year, and looking from outside of MCA, I have fresh ideas, but I still keep in close contact with MCA leaders and members.

“Since there is a vacant position, and (MCA president) Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has discussed with me several times, it is finally time to take up the challenge to rebuild the party,” he told a press conference at Wisma MCA after the party's central committee meeting here on Thursday (Sept 26).

Chong was formerly the party's Youth chief and a deputy education minister.

Dr Wee said Chong will help the party in all matters, including assisting him and his deputy Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon in overseeing party matters.

Dr Wee also said the party has set up a committee to look into proposals and suggested amendments to the MCA constitution, which will be raised at the party's annual general meeting.

These proposals, he said, included lowering the membership age to 16 from 18, and to allow other races to join the party as affiliate members.

Chong replaces Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, who quit the post in July to pursue her PhD at China's Peking University.