Thugs and threats: MCA chief bares all

MCA president Ong Tee Keat has today claimed that he was threatened by gangsters not to reveal the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) report.

The transport minister made the startling accusation in an exclusive interview with Chinese-language newspaper, Sin Chew Daily.

Claiming to be “under siege”, Ong said both internal and external forces have joined hands in an attempt to topple him.

He also added that these quarters are putting pressure on MCA leaders as well as “bribed” Barisan Nasional backbenchers to prevent the controversial PKFZ report from being made public.

Speaking about the threats he received, Ong said that he was warned that "if one day you disappear from the earth, you should know why it happened."

Ong also claimed that the “alliance of politicians and businessmen” have also bribed MCA leaders as well as bloggers in order to ensure his defeat at the next party polls due in 2011.

The MCA boss this afternoon testified before the Public Accounts Committee's (PAC) to clarify matters regarding the PKFZ for about three hours.

Soi Lek gets show-cause letter

Meanwhile, the MCA disciplinary board have issued a barrage of show-cause letters to top party leaders who were accused of having tarnished the party's image with their statements or actions.

Chief among them was deputy president Chua Soi Lek, who had already been summoned before a disciplinary hearing on Aug 4 to answer charges in relation to his sex tape almost two years ago.

In 2007, Chua was secretly filmed by unknown parties engaging in sexual acts with his mistress. DVDs depicting the duo were later circulated in Johor, Chua's home state.

Chua later conceded that he was the man in the video, and resigned from all his political and government posts.

He however managed to make a comeback at the MCA party polls last year by winning the deputy president’s post.

This is the second time Chua is being hauled up by the disciplinary board on the same charges.

Ong, who is not on good terms with his deputy, has denied involvement in the issuance of the show-cause letters.

"MCA disciplinary board is an independent group. I have never intervened in their cases. They have full powers to make decisions regarding members' disciplinary problems," he was quoted as saying in Sin Chew Daily.

A purge against Ong’s enemies

Apart from Chua, MCA Pulai division chief Low Teh Hian had also reportedly received a show-cause letter which demanded an explanation for his statements that have tarnished the party's reputation.

According to media reports, Low had since responded to the headquarters.

Other MCA leaders who are expected to receive show-cause letters from the disciplinary board included Penang deputy chief Lau Chiek Tuan and Negeri SembilanWanita chief Lee Pit Chern.

However, both have denied receiving such letters.

Lee has been a frequent critic of Ong.

She once referred to Ong as a "superman" who wears his underwear on the outside, meaning that the MCA boss likes to reveal party internal problems to the public.

Those slapped with show-cause letters are leaders critical of Ong’s leadership.