SUNGAI PETANI, MALAYSIA: The proposed appointment of a Chinese Deputy Prime Minister will give the Chinese people in the country a better representation in government, said MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong.

"We welcome such a proposal and hope it will materialise," said Dr Wee, who is also a Deputy Education Minister.

He was asked to comment on MCA deputy secretary-general Datuk Loke Yuen Yow's call to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to create a post for a Chinese Deputy Prime Minister and a Chinese Barisan Nasional deputy chairman and appoint MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat to the two posts.

On speculation that he would be made a minister in the new Cabinet line-up, Dr Wee declined to comment.

"It is up to the Prime Minister and the MCA leadership. For now, I am not thinking about it. I still have to focus on my current job and perform my duties the best I can," he said at the Sungai Lalang MCA branch office near here yesterday.

Dr Wee earlier announced an RM180,000 (S$76,000) allocation for a new canteen at SJK (C) Chung Hwa Sungai Lalang to replace the present one that was no longer safe to use.

-The Star/Asia News Network