Kit Siang: Who cares who’s MCA president?

What difference does it make? Lim Kit Siang claims that Malaysians aren’t interested who runs MCA anymore. — Picture by Choo Choy May

By Lee Wei Lian

KUALA LUMPUR– DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang weighed in on the rumblings from an impending tussle for the MCA presidency, saying that Malaysians cannot be bothered about who occupies the top post in the Barisan Nasional (BN) component party.

This comes a day after MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat remarked that there were external parties trying to subvert MCA and oust him as president, giving the impression that he was under siege.

“I regret that Ong continues to imply I am one of the external forces which put him under siege.

“Let me reiterate that I have no interest whatsoever in MCA politics and I am not in the least bothered whether there is a ‘topple Ong’ campaign in MCA or not. Whether Ong or his deputy Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek becomes president is utterly inconsequential to Malaysians who do not see any difference between the two.”

Lim has been hounding Ong over the scandal-plagued Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project for months, much to Ong’s annoyance, and today accused the transport minister of trying to claim credit for exposing PKFZ details at much personal risk.

“Ong wants to be a hero without heroism,” said Lim. “If he is going to be toppled as MCA president and transport minister for revealing less than 10 per cent of the PKFZ scandal, why doesn’t he go all the way … expose 100 per cent and accept the consequences of such a principled and courageous act.

“I am prepared to support him to the hilt even if it means consolidating his position as MCA president and transport minister.”

He also offered to lodge a police report over news that Ong had received death threats, if Ong failed to do so himself within 48 hours.

“I will lodge a police report to protect Ong’s life and ensure that the dark forces of the politico-business underground does not compromise the integrity of the government and Cabinet.”

The Star newspaper today reported that Ong had received a threat that said: “If you are wiped out from this world some day, you should know why this happened.”

Ong’s deputy and bitter rival, Dr Chua, also accused Ong of trying to portray himself as a “hero” over the PKFZ debacle.

In response to Chua’s comments, Ong told reporters today: “Let him talk, let him talk.”

When asked if he had already lodged a police report over threats to his personal safety, Ong told reporters: “I have been doing what is needful. I have been keeping in touch with police.”

The Malaysian Insider understands that supporters of both Ong and Chua are gearing up for a fierce battle that could culminate in a fresh vote for the MCA leadership. (TMI)