Embattled MCA president Ong Tee Keat has implied that those with interests in the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) were raising RM100 million to finance their plot to topple him from power.

NONE Though no names were mentioned, it is believed that the transport minister was referring to tycoon-turned-politician Tiong King Sing, who is a major stakeholder in PKFZ turnkey developer Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd.

In an interview with Malaysiakini in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, the Bintulu MP laughed off the charge, saying he had nothing to gain from ousting Ong.

Tiong - who is the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) treasurer - also denied rumours that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had given him the green light to launch an attack on the MCA president.

Malaysiakini: Have you briefed the prime minister about the RM10 million issue?

Tiong: No.

There are rumours that the prime minister has given you the green light to reveal this issue.

If you (were to) find a (new) girlfriend, would you go back and get a green light from your wife? Why get others involved? If you want to do it, you should be responsible for it yourself. I am just clarifying matters. Why must the boss scold me?

Has the prime minister advised you in any way about this issue?

No. When you guys (the media) got naughty and called me, the prime minister was on a flight to go overseas. I never expected you to call me. I was reluctant to say (comment), until you said that some MCA leaders were challenging me (on whether there was really a donation to Ong).

Has your party (SPDP) president advised you on this?

Some of the party leaders asked me if they should form (groups) to support me, but I declined. To me, this is one-to-one issue. I also thank my constituents for giving me support. But I don't want them to get involved.

NONE I only want (to go) one-to-one. If he (Ong) say he didn't receive, then he should come sit down with me one-to-one and face-to-face. Don't get other people involved.

I'm not going for the publicity. I urge everybody, don't use their platforms to hit me. Especially 98.8FM (MCA owned Chinese radio station).

If you want to talk, don't talk about something outside the flow. Don't say that I dig the hole and drag people in with me. Don't talk in that manner. Don't abuse your freedom. This is a warning to 98.8FM.

I didn't know that the radio station belongs to The Star (newspaper, owned by MCA)... Why did they turn and twist? They were adding sugar and vinegar (to their content). Why?

How was your session with MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission)?

Five to six hours. How would you feel? Next time, you try.

What were they interested in? The RM10 million donation or PKFZ?

Never mind what they ask. How to tell you?

Ong said there were groups trying to topple him. Are you interested in toppling him?

Am I an MCA member? What do I get if I topple him? Will I get any contract? What do I get? If he appoints me as a senior president, maybe that would be a different issue.

You are being linked to a group that is allegedly trying to topple him.

mca 60th anniversary chua soi lek and ong tee keat 030309 07 I know you are talking about (Dr) Chua Soi Lek. You tell me straight! My style is that I like things straightforward. If you are like that, next time your girlfriend won't like you. Pusing sini , pusing sana .

If I team up with Chua Soi Lek, what will I get? Will Chua make me his deputy? Will he make me the minister of Malaysia? What do I get?

He (Ong) said I was raising RM100 million to topple him. Please. Don't project yourself as somebody so difficult... that so much of money is needed to topple you. Please! Don’t bring shame to our Chinese community.

Don't be like the opposition, everyday make up stories and ask for sympathy. Why do you want to do all these? Is it necessary?

Are you saying Ong is not worth RM100 million?

I'm not saying he is not worth it. I’m asking 'what is the point'. I'm Chinese and I feel very ashamed (of his actions).

What do you hope to achieve with a one-to-one meeting with Ong?

NONE I don't want anything. If he is unhappy, come see me. If he say he didn't receive the money, come see me.

Are you confident that you can resolve this public spat with Ong?

What spat? What tiff? I'm just telling what is happening. That is all. If the people don't want to believe or understand it, no one can force them.

But if this is allowed to go on further, it might affect BN, do you...

Why should it affect Barisan Nasional? This is between him and me.

The DPM has advised you two to stop...

I'm not interested to continue (the spat), but they (MCA) won't let me. If people attack me, I must respond. Last time I choose not to respond, but there has been too many attacks. They want to see me go bust.

THE TIONG INTERVIEW

Part 1

RM1 rental: Tiong feels 'conned' by MCA

Part 2

I'm not BN's ATM, says deep pocket MP

Q&A: PKFZ sizzled like 'koay teow'

Part 3

Tiong on Najib, wife and girlfriend

Q&A: What do I get by toppling him?