MCA is a corrupted Chinese party

Bintulu MP Tiong King Sing, who is in the eye of the storm over the RM10 million donation controversy, has confirmed that his political party will expand its 'boundaries' to go national.

The Sarawak People's Democratic Party (SPDP) will not only make inroads into the peninsula, but will become a full-fledged multiracial party, he said.

Tiong was quoted as saying this in Chinese media reports today in response to allegations made by MCA president Ong Tee Keat at a special briefing for party delegates last Sunday.

Ong (left) had claimed that forces within and outside MCA are conspiring to overthrow him through various means, including setting up funds valued up to RM100 million to remove him through a special EGM.

Although he did not name those involved, the general understanding that he was targeting MCA deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek, with whom he has a long-standing hostile relationship.

If this failed, said Ong, a Sarawak-based multiracial party would move into Peninsular Malaysia “to destroy MCA”. Alternatively, a newly-formed multiracial party would serve as a vehicle for dissidents to join Barisan Nasional (BN), thereby replacing MCA.

Tiong confirmed that SPDP, in which he is treasurer, has plans to set up branches in the peninsula. Describing this as a national issue, he slammed Ong for trying to obstruct his party's expansion because of “a personal vendetta”.

He pointed out that MCA is a race-based party, while SPDP has a multiracial membership profile. As such, Ong “has no business meddling with the expansion plan”.

“We are all BN component parties, so what's wrong with making inroads into Peninsular Malaysia? Some with a narrow political mindset think that parties from the peninsula can go into Sabah and Sarawak, but not vice versa,” Tiong reportedly said.

“Many new parties have been established in the peninsula. Why didn't he make noise then?”

Asked why a Sarawak party would want to move into the peninsula, Tiong explained that the last general election had proved to be a watershed in politics.

“Many voters and members of political parties are disillusioned with the way BN and its component parties are run, but they don't want to cross over to the opposition .

“So expanding SPDP would give them a choice (to join a new party) as we're still under the BN banner. Does this mean it will destroy MCA and destablise BN?”

'Secret witness on PKFZ'

Last week, Tiong had revealed that he had given Ong RM10 million last year as funds for MCA divisions.

This caused a political storm that has all but swept away Ong's carefully nurtured image as a clean and courageous politician.

While Ong has categorically denied receipt of any money from Tiong, the situation has evolved to implicate other key party leaders.

Wanita head Chew Mei Fun (right) has admitted that Tiong had donate RM35,000 for the wing's welfare activities. Youth chief Wee Ka Siong (left), angered by rumours that he had received RM1 million from Tiong, has denied the allegation.

Tiong reiterated that the RM10 million donation is a personal matter between him and Ong and urged other party leaders not to get involved.

He claimed, though, that Ong has tried to turn this into a party matter by playing on the siege mentality of members while portraying himself as a victim. Ong had claimed that he is expecting the worst - such a demotion or enforced resignation from his cabinet post as transport minister.

Taunted Tiong: “Has anyone issued a call to overthrow Ong? Has the cabinet asked him to resign? Is (crying wolf) part of a so-called daring president's character?”

He challenged Ong to a man-to-man dialogue to explain where the money has gone, and also dared him and his wife to make public their bank statements.


“I have a secret witness who can reveal Ong's real intention in directing investigations into the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) issue. As soon as the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report was completed, the witness alerted me about the one-sided findings,” said Tiong.

“He told a powerful figure that all the contracts had been awarded legally, but the person blew his top and insisted that 'Tiong must be nailed' at all costs. This person also said that, even if the Port Klang Authority (PKA) is sued for terminating the contracts, the burden would fall on PKA and not on himself.”

Tiong also hit out at the PwC and special task force reports, saying his contracting company Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd had never been called to assist in the probe or allowed to defend itself against the allegations of irregularities.

“Is this the so- called fair, just and transparent report? Somebody is trying to find a scapegoat by fabricating accusations. And if he succeeds, he will be able to maintain his Justice Bao image and become a national hero!”


(Justice Bao lived during the Song dynasty and has been acknowledged as a fair judge. He did not cave in to pressure, but delivered his rulings strictly on the merits of the case.)

Tiong refuted Ong's claim that PKFZ scandal had led to massive loss of support for MCA and BN in the last general election.

“The same issues were also played up in Sarawak and in my constituency. Why haven't Sarawak BN and Bintulu fallen into the hands of the opposition?”

“Isn't it obvious now as to who is trying to ruin BN? Is it me who has hidden agenda or someone else?”

Tiong is a major player in Wijaya Baru Global Holdings Bhd, the parent company of Kuala Dimensi, the turnkey-contractor of the multi-billion ringgit PKFZ project.

Kuala Dimensi has repeatedly railed against the Transport Ministry and the PKA's public accusations that the company was involved in excessive profiteering in the PKFZ project.

Malaysiakini
18/08/09