Klang municipal councillor Tee Boon Hock has denied all allegations that he had misused a Selangor exco member's letterhead to secure contracts for his cronies.

He was reported to have misused exco member Ronnie Liu's  letterhead and seal to obtain contracts worth a total of RM1 million for 20 companies, including one belonging to a family member.

tee boon hock pc "I deny all allegations contained in Star 's report, claiming corrupt practices on my part which have enriched my family members or myself,” said Tee (left in photo) , reading from a statement.

"My family and I have (neither) applied for, nor received a single contract from the Klang local authority, and we will not bid for such contracts as it would mean a direct conflict of interest."

At a joint press conference with Liu this morning, Tee said he would consult his lawyers to determine if he should sue Star .

"The article has seriously damaged the reputation of my family and myself," he fumed, slamming the daily for alleging that he had supposedly secured contracts worth RM1 million.

‘Report contradictory’

Tee, who was Liu's special assistant from 2008 to November 2009 at the latter’s service centre in Pandamaran, Klang, said it was common practice for him to sign - on behalf of the assemblyperson - letters of support for those requesting help.

Tee also stressed that all such letters are always written without obligating any government official to act in any improper manner.

"Where contractors are involved, all letters were specifically qualified with the statement that local council and Selangor government regulations (have been) met, or that the contractors will have to adhere to the law," he said.

NONE Tee added that he did not issue any more letters on behalf of Liu after he left the post in 2009.

He also refuted the Star report ( right ) which claimed that he currently sits on the Klang Municipal Council's Tender Board.

Tee clarified that he had left the post last month.

Liu denied confirming a statement attributed to him in yesterday's front-page report.

He said the report was contradictory in its claims.

"On the front page, it said that I confirmed the allegations, and yet I was quoted as saying that I was unaware of it. Besides, I'm not the deputy chair(person) of the Selangor DAP as stated in the report.

"The menteri besar has also said that he has conducted the investigations , so we'll leave it at that," said Liu, leaving the room before reporters could ask any questions.

                    

'Hard to refuse requests'

Other party leaders including state chief Ean Yong Hian Wah, Selangor DAP deputy chairperson Tony Pua and senior exco member Teresa Kok were present at the press conference.

NONE "The party will not hesitate to take action in the interest of the public. We will not protect members who misuse power," said Ean Yong.

Kok ( far right in photo ) added that at the grassroots level it is sometimes hard to deny requests for support letters.

"In theory, yes, we should do away with support letters. But in reality, it is hard to say no to the community, who will then think that the wakil rakyat is not helpful," she said.

"But in the state government, we have told the directors of the various departments not to take the letters seriously, and to award the jobs based on merit."

Although the party appeared to have closed ranks in public, it is widely rumoured that the leak was related to internal strife .

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