Former MCA president Ong Tee Keat yesterday said that his successor Dr Chua Soi Lek had sidelined due process by accusing a senior MCA leader of money politics.

NONE Speaking to reporters last night, Ong (second from left ) said that Chua should know this as he had gone through the same process when he had to face the disciplinary board when his sex video was leaked.

"There is a modus operandi when it comes to party governance. When Dr Chua was brought to the MCA disciplinary board over the sex video, of course he was given the chance to speak and to clarify.

"Certain due diligence has to be made before the lady deputy minister is to be accused of malpractice," he told reporters last night.

"Taken aback" by Chua's statement, Ong said due diligence is especially important in this case as it involves "a deputy minister who is representing the party in government".

Asked if he meant Chua's conduct was improper, he said that while money politics is intolerable, the accuser "must have sufficient moral high ground to make such an expose".

"He did also mention purported lobbying done by the deputy minister for the Gopeng seat. The public is now speculating if the heavy lobbying is the reason for making such a statement," he said.

NONE Chua  had earlier accused a "female deputy minister" of money politics, citing complaints he received on the matter, but insists that he was making a general statement not directed at anyone.

Women, Family and Community Deputy Minister Heng Seai Kie ( above ) is MCA's only female deputy minister. She has denied any wrongdoing.

Hope for renomination

Meanwhile, Ong said he want to defend his Pandan parliamentary seat, but it  is up to the party and BN leadership to nominate him.

This was echoed by Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who was also present at the Angkatan Amanah Rakyat (Amanah) lantern festival-Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration in Pandan Indah.

"It is up to the leadership," said the veteran politician who is also Amanah president.

NONE In his speech, Razaleigh ( third from right ) urged the 500-odd attendees to "vote wisely for those that we can trust with the responsibility of representing us well".

"We have the constitutional right (to vote)...use this right with care so we can feel safe," he said.

He added that he hopes that NGOs will take the place of political parties in the future so civil society can play a bigger role in caring for society's needs.

"This is so civil society can protect peace and the people's feelings, so we can live more harmoniously," he said.

The event, co-organised by Amanah and Yayasan Bakti Nusa Malaysia saw a lantern procession, lion dance, traditional Malay and Chinese dances and a magic show.

Chua: Money politics is not corruption