The MCA leaders who were appointed into the Cabinet today will not stop from being critical of the government on issues that touches the rakyat, party president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai guaranteed.

"We will continue to be critical, we want the government to continue to have great support from the people, we (are) life partners and will make sure that Barisan Nasional (BN) will continue to be strong and continue listening to the people on the ground," Liow, who is now Transport Minister, told newsmen at the party's headquarters here.

He said BN treats each component as equal partners and consensus was needed for every important decision.

"That's how we show our strength as a multiracial coalition, with MCA representing the Chinese as an equal partner to strengthen BN. Our role given today reflects that," he said.

Urging his colleagues to work twice as hard, Liow said MCA will continue to voice the grievances of the people and will remain vocal, which was pointed out to be more apparent during the time it did not have any positions in the government.

Asked about the MCA's 'U-turn' on its previous 'no Cabinet positions' stance, Liow said there was no need to explain or apologise to the people.

"I think people understand very well that the previous leadership decided not to join the Cabinet. And the new leadership had a new EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting) turn around the decision and we requested to join the Cabinet later," he said.

New Cabinet representation

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today announced Liow's new position as Transport Minister, and Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong and Gerakan president Datuk Mah Siew Keong as Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department.

Najib also announced the appointment of three MCA vice-presidents as deputy ministers: Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun as Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister; Datuk Chua Tee Yong as Deputy Finance Minister and Datuk Lee Chee Leong as Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister.

"Representatives from MCA are returning to represent the Chinese community, and representatives from Gerakan are returning to the Cabinet," said Najib when unveiling the Cabinet's latest additions.

Liow, meanwhile, said he was touched by Najib's speech, which stressed upon the importance of BN's power-sharing principle and how "MCA must represent the Chinese in Cabinet to ensure that the government can continue to safeguard unity, harmony and continued development."

"We will work hard to help Najib to transform the country.

"We are facing many challenges; MCA itself is facing a lot of challenges. We must work hard so that the transformation of MCA can be done well," said Liow.

Second chance

Welcoming the new challenge, Liow said he hoped Malaysians would give his comrades a chance for them to do their best upon undertaking this huge responsibility.

He said one of his main priorities was to resolve the MH370 issue that was previously handled by Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein as acting transport minister.

"One of the most important issues in this ministry is MH370. It is a tragedy that has brought us much grief and needs to be solved soonest. I am sure to put in more focus in this," he said.

Asked about criticisms on Chew being appointed even though she lost in the Kajang by-election, Liow explained that Chew did not contest in the 13th General Election.