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Malaysiakini
A panel of MCA veterans has cleared party president Ong Ka
Ting of any involvement in an alleged clandestine snoop-squad used to undermine
the his political opponents.
MCPX
The panel's seven-page report summary which was made public today said that
there was no evidence of "three-men secret committee's" existence, as alleged by
MCA Petaling Jaya Utara advisor Wong Leong.
mca snoop squad hearing 140508 01However, the panel said that there was evidence
that the alleged snoop-squad mastermind Tee Ann Chuan (photo: far right) had
travelled to several parts of the country in a political intelligence gathering
exercise.
"As to his motives and objectives, these are only known to himself," said the
panel.
The report was released following a three-hour meeting by the party presidential
council at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
Following the meeting, party deputy president Chan Kong Choy said that the panel
had proven that Wong's allegations were baseless and that Ong and other MCA
leaders were proven innocent.
"The panel has completed their probe. The issue ends here," said Chan.
Four presidential council members - Ong, Wee Jeck Seng, Donald Lim and Liow
Tiong Lai - who were mentioned in the report excused themselves from the
second-half of the council meeting chaired by Chan to discuss the contents of
the report.
‘Star-witnesses' credibility questioned
In the report, the panel noted that both Wong and Tee did not testify at the
panel hearing after they were recalled to answer to allegations and denials by
other witnesses.
mca investigate on character assasin 160408 wong leong going up 02In particular,
the panel said that Wong (right) was "not a helpful and cooperative witness" for
not testifying before the panel a second time.
"Without allowing himself to be cross-examined by us like all other witnesses on
his statement, Wong's statement is, strictly speaking, based on hearsay," the
panel said.
The panel also said that they were unconvinced with Tee's testimony that he was
gathering information for his memoirs and a book on Gerakan Belia Bersatu
Malaysia's (GBBM) past leaders.
"As a non-member, we find it strange that at his age, he could spend time
travelling around the country meeting up with ex-GBBM members, not to discuss
GBBM matters but MCA members.
"Was he using GBBM as a pretext in his alleged political chicanery? Our
conclusion is only Tee himself best knows what his real intentions are," they
said.
Ong: Let's rebuild party
In an immediate reaction, Ong expressed gratitude to the panel for dutifully
conducting their investigations and that his named had been cleared of any wrong
doing.
"Since the beginning, my principle is that healthy political culture should be
emphasised. As righteous person, I would not use immoral or underhanded tactics
against others," he said in a press statement written in Chinese.
mca snoop squad hearing 140508 02Ong also advised party members to raise
dissenting views within the party on the condition that such a move was meant
for the benefit of the party.
"At the moment, the party is at its lowest ebb. I hope party members can put
aside their difference, consolidate our strengths and work towards rejuvenating
the party," he added.
The month long hearing started soon after Wong made the allegations following
the March 8 general election. Wong's allegations were resonated by other party
leaders, including Lim and former party vice-president Dr Chua Soi Lek.
As the controversy became more prominent, the presidential council established
the panel in April to probe Wong's allegations.
The panel consisted of party veterans Michael Chen Wing Sum, Sak Cheng Lum and
Roger Tan.
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