Facing a PAS ultimatum to prove his claim that PAS candidate Normala Sudirman had questioned a non-Muslim shopowner on the sale of alcohol, MCA Labis MP Chua Tee Yong has made a U-turn.

chua tee yong interview 110309 05Yesterday afternoon Chua (left) told news portal The Malaysian Insider (TMI) that he stood by his remark but refused to name the shop owner.

He changed his tune late in the afternoon.

TMI report quoted Chua as saying,"Of course, I cannot name the shop, the owner wants to remain anonymous".

However, accosted by reporters covering the Tenang by-election campaign late yesterday afternoon at the Labis Moral Uplifting Society, Chua tells a different story altogether.

"During my campaign, there were voters asking me whether the sale of alcohol would be affected if the PAS candidate was elected. I replied that it is possible."

'Please, stick to what I say'

A China Press report yesterday had quoted Chua as saying: "According to the information I received, during Normala's walkabout, she asked the coffeeshop owner why he sells beer. The owner (replied) that it is his right to do so."

Chua said he had not read the China Press report because he has been busy with the campaign.

PAS had issued him an ultimatum to retract his claim by noon today or face a defamation suit. 

"I have to wait for the legal letter from them (PAS) before I give further comments," he said.

Pressed further, Chua did not directly say he was denying the report, but appealed to reporters to "stick to what I say".