Zahid, who is also the deputy prime minister, said the appointment was based on a mutual understanding and to ensure investment opportunities are realised for the country to progress.

“No, this is an understanding between us both and as an appreciation for his role in bringing in investors from China and for helping me as the Halal Industry Development Council chairman.

“I announced his appointment when he joined my delegation to Shanghai (China) last month and publicly at the 71st MCA annual general assembly last week.

“(His appointment) is based on his background and experience,” he said.

Zahid told reporters this after officiating the 2024 Pahang BN Convention at Dewan Tun Razak here today. The event was also attended by Pahang menteri besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and BN secretary-general Zambry Abd Kadir.

Through the appointment, Zahid said Wee could help follow through or take follow-up action in getting potential Chinese businessmen to invest in the country’s halal industry.

Zahid was commenting on the action of several MCA leaders who were apparently unhappy with Wee’s appointment as they felt it did not match his status as a BN component party leader, who is usually given a ministerial position.

Yesterday, Wee urged MCA members to be far-sighted and said he was driven to leverage the party’s relationship with the Chinese government and make the appointment a platform to promote good relations and cooperation between the two countries.

Asked about the incident where the Chinese flag was waved by a delegation from China during a procession in Teluk Intan on Oct 24, Zahid said he was leaving it to the police to investigate what had occurred.

Yesterday, Perak police chief Azizi Mat Aris said the gathering had violated the terms of the permit and statements had been gathered from all involved.

A video clip of the incident went viral on social media and the Guan Gong Cultural Association of Malaysia later apologised for the flag-waving, which it claimed was unplanned.