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New Straits Times
by Veena Babulal
IPOH: Allegations of the existence of a "snoop squad" within MCA are baseless,
party secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan reiterated here yesterday.
Echoing party president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting's earlier
statement, Ka Chuan said the allegations of brokering and spying on party men
were unfounded.
However, he said that to clear the air over the issue, the party would set up an
inquiry panel to investigate the accusations.
"The party could have easily ignored the allegations but the fact that a formal
investigation is being carried out proves that MCA wants to get to the bottom of
the matter," Ka Chuan said after closing a leadership camp for Red Cresent
Society volunteers.
He appealed to the MCA members to refrain from harping on the allegations, which
could harm the party,
He also advised them to wait for the outcome of the investigation panel.
Last month, MCA veteran Wong Leong claimed that a secret three-man committee of
"political hitmen" had been formed by Ka Ting to discredit his rivals.
In response, the party's presidential council formed a three-member committee
comprising Dr Sak Cheng Lum, Tan Sri Michael Chen and Roger Tan to investigate
the allegations.
Wong, the Petaling Jaya Utara division adviser, named Health Minister Datuk Liow
Tiong Lai, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Wee Jeck Seng, Ka Ting's former
political secretary and former Gerakan Belia Bersatu leader, Tee Ann Chuan, as
members of the squad in his testimony before the panel.
Tee was alleged to be the "chief co-ordinator" of the snoop squad and had
purportedly received RM10,000 from Ka Ting for his services.
The squad, allegedly set up in October 2005, was ordered to compile information
on former health ministers Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and Datuk Chua Jui Meng,
MCA vice-president Datuk Donald Lim, former MCA president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik
and his son, Datuk Ling Hee Liong.
The three accused of being members of the snoop squad denied the allegations at
the inquiry.
However, during the last hearing on May 21, former Damansara Utama assemblyman
Datuk Lim Choon Kin testified that he had been recruited as a squad member.
He told the panel that what Wong said was true as he had "met Tee seven times
since Nov 4 last year to discuss how the party could be strengthened".
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