KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 — Just a month into his tenure as MCA president Datuk Ong Tee Keat acknowledges that he is feeling the heat after coming under fire for statements that have been reported by the press.
In an exclusive interview with The Malaysian Insider, he said people should be fair to him.
"Of course, at that moment, I said prerogative but this sentence should not be read in isolation. Be fair to me, those who know me well know there is no reason for me to say such things in such a manner," he said in reference to media reports branding him as arrogant for stating that party appointments were his prerogative and that he did not need to air his rationale to the whole world.
"I remember I did mention that I would certainly recommend the most suitable personalities that could fit in the agenda for change. Unfortunately, people judge based solely on certain sentences there and then. But be fair to me, I did say I would pick the best candidates and have repeated it," he reasoned.
He was also quoted as saying that he treated news reports on him and the party as "entertainment."
The Transport Minister explained today that this was in the context of the constant speculation in the run-up to last month's party polls where he was elected president.
"They kept asking for my running mate and cai tan (preferred list of candidates). I detest cai tan. In jest, I said, 'Since when have you transplanted the entertainment style into political reporting’."
The Pandan MP also acknowledged that he is perceived as arrogant and disrespectful.
"Certain quarters want to spin, because we know in politics anything can be spun. I lament the fact that many times people pick on and choose one or two things. Yes, I do not deny I said these things but there must be proper context," he said.
He added that people were not happy that he has been tight-lipped on matters.
"I do not deliberately leak out stories to test the waters," he quipped.
Ong has also been criticised for appearing to sideline his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek after the latter was not reappointed Johor state liaison chief and head of the disciplinary board, by convention regarded as a portfolio for the deputy president.
Ong sought to rebut this by insisting that the government policy monitoring bureau Dr Chua has been appointed to is an important one.
"Had I been harbouring any thoughts of sidelining him, I would not have said from the outset that we need such a bureau to monitor government policies.
"We know he has a lot of experience as a state exco and minister. He is the best person to head the bureau. People have 1,001 interpretations. If I wanted to sideline him, I would not have given him such a big task," he explained, saying that there was no hard and fast rule that the deputy president must head the disciplinary board.
"I need a disciplinary board that is headed by a veteran who is above MCA politics," he said, referring to Datuk Ng Cheng Kiat, a former party secretary-general.
He added that Dr Chua's new position is "wide-encompassing in terms of jurisdiction and covers all the states. It would virtually enable him to oversee all the states and not just be confined to one."
"Given that he is now not in administration, he can deliver with no inhibitions. The logic is, if you were one of the administration members, you might have second thoughts when it comes to your own ministry."
He, however, said that this should not be taken as a hint that Dr Chua will definitely not be recommended as a Cabinet minister.
"That is a bit far-fetched at this juncture. I have not decided on the list."
Ong also said that accusations of building a dynasty were ridiculous, stating that he is on "bonus time" after nearly being expelled a few years ago, an apparent reference to the chair-throwing debacle in a 2001 MCA Youth meeting.
"The same group brands me a lone ranger for years and now they are saying I am building a dynasty. It is contradictory. I am on bonus time. At anytime I may throw in the towel."
Malaysian Insider
PEOPLE'S POWER
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