MCA must survive at all costs, vows Ong

(The Star) ALOR SETAR: MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat has pledged to rid the party of money politics, vowing to do whatever is necessary to prevent its destruction.

“Whether I am around or not, the party must survive,” he said.

“There is a small group of party leaders who have allowed outsiders to infiltrate the MCA for their own personal gain. People claim that I am play-acting when I say that I face difficulties and that I am surrounded by enemies.

“As an MCA leader, I will not allow the party to be destroyed by those with personal interests,” he said in his speech at the party’s Kuala Kedah division dinner last night.

He said those who were against him, in and out of the party, were raising money to oust him.

“They already have RM100mil now – money which can be used to build 20 new Chinese schools. Instead, they want to use it to bring me down,” he said.

On a separate issue, the Transport Minister compared the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) controversy to the 1980s Bumiputra Malaysia Finance (BMF) scandal.

“The PKFZ is even bigger than the BMF (scandal). The BMF claimed two lives, but I hope the same won’t happen in the PKFZ probe.”

Ong reiterated that the allegation by a “political thug” that he had received a RM10mil loan was baseless.

“Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd CEO Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing claims that the special committee’s report on the PKFZ is baseless, so I can claim the same.

“I never expected that I would become a victim when I ordered an investigation into the PKFZ while the one who is involved is still at large.

“(Nonetheless) I have strong defensive powers and can withstand the pressure,” he said.

Ong later presented a total of RM160,000 to SMJK(C) Sin Min and the Kulim/Bandar Baru, Jerlun and Padang Serai party divisions.

He urged party members not to be divided when facing the numerous challenges they have against them.

“Always look at the bigger picture – never marginalise others and do not ever let others marginalise us,” he stressed.