Hwa Beng: ‘It’s time for the dictator to go’
The 59-year-old speaks to The Malay Mail on the rationale behind ABC, who he thinks should be MCA president, and his next course of action against the party.
Pearl Lee. The Malay Mail
Recently sacked MCA member Datuk Lee Hwa Beng only has one mission in life right now. Armed with 36 years of political experience, the former three-term assemblyman’s daily mantra is now “ABC”.
He says his “Anybody But Chua Soi Lek” movement, which is aimed at overthrowing MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, is his personal contribution to ensure the Chinese community in the country will get a chance at redemption, at least in the next five years.
The 59-year-old speaks to The Malay Mail on the rationale behind ABC, who he thinks should be MCA president, and his next course of action against the party.
The Malay Mail (TMM): What prompted you to start ABC?
Lee Hwa Beng (LHB): I did not plan this. In fact, I retired from politics after my defeat in the 2008 general election. Chua had said he would step down from the party before GE 13 but it appears he is going against his words. That is why I started ABC. The Chinese turned their backs against the party because of Chua. How can we continue to have a tainted leader in the party?
TMM: So ABC only came about after GE13?
LHB: Yes, I returned to politics just to remove Chua. I was voted as a national delegate before I was sacked, so I had the right to vote for the central committee on December 22. I was also able to stand for a post.
TMM: Some may call you a “lalang” as you had openly supported Pakatan Rakyat (PR) prior to GE13 only to return to politics just to topple Chua.
LHB: Yes, I was pro-Pakatan before the election but I did not join the coalition and neither did I attend any of their election rallies.
TMM: Do you have a personal vendetta against Chua?
LHB: I have nothing personal against him. We were very close. I am not his enemy. I even voted for him when he was standing against (Datuk Seri) Ong Ka Chuan for the deputy president’s post, which I now regret. He even brought his son (Chua Tee Yong) to see me once for advice on his educational path. Chua is an embarrassment to the party and the Chinese community. He must go … he is a dictator.
TMM: Who do you think should lead the party then?
LHB: It can be anybody … (Datuk Seri) Liow Tiong Lai, (Datuk Seri) Ong Tee Keat or even Ka Chuan. At least with either one of them helming the party, I am confident we can get at least 30 per cent of Chinese support for the party.
