Chua issue a party matter, says Tee Keat

(The Star) – The issue of MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek being lured by the Opposition should be raised within the party.

Party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said if the issue was related to the party, it should be raised within the party as it had the platform, in which Dr Chua is also represented.

Ong said he only found out about Dr Chua being courted by the Opposition from the media.

On the possibility of Dr Chua leaving, he said: “You should ask the news maker. Of course he said a lot of things to the news media, and also at the same time I understand that when he was asked by certain leaders he said different things.”

Asked if he would take the initiative to meet Dr Chua, Ong said: “Is there such a necessity? Everyday people make news, and if this be the case we would have to put aside important tasks in our daily lives to respond to the news that arise from people’s personal agenda.”

Asked if the matter would be discussed in the party’s presidential council meeting, he said: “We will see if anyone submits such an agenda at the meeting.”

He said he was not interested in answering questions pertaining to personal interests, adding that there were many important tasks for him to do.

“We are bonded to greater responsibility such as the programme today,” he said after launching the Caring and Sharing event at the Buddhist Maha Vihara yesterday.

In Muar, Wanita chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said MCA will not stop Dr Chua from defecting if the veteran leader decides to do so.

She said Dr Chua was an experienced politician and had the wisdom to know what was good or not good for him.