Two newly appointed MCA local councillors in Johor did not even have the time to warm their seats - two weeks after taking office, they were unceremoniously sacked.

This rare incident is believed to be linked to the on-going tussle within Johor MCA, where the duo are said to be loyalists of MCA president and state chief Ong Tee Keat ( far left in photo ).

The spat began early this month when the Johor government announced its list of appointed local councillors.

Soon after that, Johor MCA’s grassroots leaders mounted a strong protest, resulting in the state government making a U-turn in a number of the appointments.

Sources told Malaysiakini that the record-breaking councillors are only two of 11 people who saw their contracts abruptly terminated.

The duo have since called a number of press conferences in their bid for reinstatement, but they are unlikely to change the state government’s decision.

Sources said Johor Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman ( left ) had to quickly intervene in the MCA factional dispute to make sure that it would not affect the state government.

Abdul Ghani is particularly close to former MCA state chief Dr Chua Soi Lek as well as the current MCA state deputy chief, Tan Kok Hong.

Tan, who is also the national vice-president, was once considered Chua’s protégé, but ties between the duo have soured after his former patron saw himself sidelined within the party.

Tan ( right ) is also the head of Johor MCA state councillors selection committee, which is tasked to make recommendations on potential candidates to the state government.

Even though Tan is said to be now closer to Ong, sources told Malaysiakini that he is obviously unhappy with way the MCA boss had handled the appointments of local councillors.

Name list ‘hijacked’ by Ong

According to a China Press report, Ong had ‘hijacked’ the local councillor candidates list when Tan was conveniently overseas, and had submitted a different list to the Johor menteri besar.

But given that the new list caused great dissatisfaction among MCA local leaders, Abdul Ghani had no choice but to step in.

Tan is said to have sought Abdul Ghani’s help after he discovered that a number of names in the original list had been removed by Ong, to be replaced by his supporters.

“Since Tan is also the state exco, the menteri besar relies on him in understanding the delicate situation within Johor MCA,” said sources.

Tan is likely to break away from Ong if it is confirmed that the party chief was the person who altered the original list.

There have been rumours of deputy president Chua ( left ) is seeking to tap growing dissatisfaction within the party to call an extraordinary general meeting to oust Ong.

This latest flap in Johor - a stronghold state of MCA - will ensure that the tussle between the party’s No 1 and No 2 is set to continue in the months to come.