In mooting the idea, Jasin lawmaker Ahmad Hamzah said there were many Umno leaders who were eligible for the post.

MCA president Liow Tiong Lai is the current transport minister.

“If none of the bosses on the stage want the responsibility, my friends in the hall are just as qualified,” he said when debating the economic motion at the party’s general assembly here.

Ahmad pointed out that Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein was the acting transport minister before Liow took over the portfolio in 2014.

During that time, Ahmad said, Hishammuddin gave the green light for Malacca to create a deep sea port, which China is now investing in.

Following MCA’s dismal performance in the last general election, the Chinese-based party’s then president Dr Chua Soi Lek refused a government post.

However, when Liow, a former health minister, succeeded Chua, the latter’s decision not to accept Cabinet appointments was reversed at an MCA extraordinary general meeting.

Prior to Liow, Kong Cho Ha was the transport minister, from 2010-2013.