SEREMBAN: MCA returned to the Negri Sembilan state administration after 13 years with the appointment of Chennah assemblyman John Siow (Siow Kong Choon) as a state executive councillor.
Siow, the party's sole representative in the state executive council (exco), will oversee the Local Government Development, Housing and Non-Islamic Affairs portfolio.
He described the appointment as a huge responsibility and thanked MCA and Mentri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim for the trust placed in him.
"I would like to thank the party and the Mentri Besar for appointing me as one of the members of the Negri Sembilan executive council.
"This is a great responsibility and I will do my best to carry out the duties entrusted to me," he told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony at Istana Besar Seri Menanti in Kuala Pilah on Friday (Aug 7).
The Negri Sembilan MCA Youth chief said that although he is the only Chinese representative in the exco, he would serve all communities and ensure the interests of every race are looked after.
He said this was in line with Barisan Nasional's election manifesto, which was drawn up for the benefit of all Malaysians.
"I am confident that together with my fellow exco members under the leadership of the Mentri Besar, we will work hard to fulfil the promises made in the Barisan Nasional manifesto," he said.
Siow said that although he had not previously served as an elected representative, he had gained experience as part of the Barisan Nasional machinery in Jelebu under the leadership of Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias.
"I assisted him in matters involving the Chinese community, and that experience has helped prepare me for this responsibility," he said.
Siow won the Chennah seat in the Aug 1 state election with 5,726 votes, defeating incumbent and DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke by a majority of 688 votes.
