Culture, Arts and Tourism Deputy Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen's past status as an Australian permanent resident while serving as senator was "morally untenable" though not legally wrong, said de facto Law Minister Dr Rais Yatim today.

He said people who hold public office should not withhold information o­n their foreign PR status which is "pertinent to be known by the public".

"If a public office holder has a PR status for whatever reason whether it is because of his or her children or for business efficacy, it does not harm him or her to declare it to the public. In other countries, if such things happened, those concerned would have resigned.

"There are no legal implications. But it concerns the morals, value system and disposition of a government leader, even if the person has relinquished the PR status," he said when contacted.

However, Rais said the MCA Wanita chief was "not to be entirely blamed" as the existing laws were silent o­n whether a public office holder could hold a foreign PR status.

Clear guideline

He said in view of this, he will propose for a clear guideline or policy regarding the matter if he is asked to give his opinion in the cabinet.

"This sort of case is unprecedented. Therefore that (a clear guideline) is desirable. It will convey that such a thing should not and will not be repeated in the future," he said.

Meanwhile, Umno vice-president Muhammad Muhd Taib said Ng's former PR status was a "mistake" but he had no intention to drag it into a public debate.

"Let's solve this within the Barisan Nasional. We are a family and we can handle this problem," he told malaysiakini .

When asked, he said he was confident that the BN supreme council will meet to discuss the matter if Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, now o­n a two-month vacation abroad, felt that there was a necessity to do so.

Ng got the spotlight after the media revealed early this week that she was an Australian PR when she was appointed as a senator in 1993.

The revelation came after Ng's opponent in the party, MCA Youth chief o­ng Tee Keat, repeatedly hinted about her PR status.

Ng had since claimed that the PR status was to enable her to visit her three children who were studying in Australia then, and that she had revoked it since 1995.

Yesterday, the pro-Ng Wanita central committee ruled that the PR status issue was "closed" and that any wing leader or member who continue to question her credibility will be referred to the MCA disciplinary committee for further action.

Triad allegations

On a related matter, Rais said o­ng's allegation last Sunday that the party has been infiltrated by triads should be investigated by the relevant authorities.

"The allegation is subject to strict proof and it is up to Acting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to see if it has any truth.

"Such a matter is not in my realm but principally speaking, o­nce the information is handed in, the proper attitude is to let the relevant authorities investigate the matter. The police should investigate it without fear or favour," he said.

Asked if o­ng's allegation and Ng's controversy had tarnished the image of BN, Rais, an Umno supreme council member, said he did not think so.

"I think the people will view the position of the personalities concerned in the party before making any judgment. I don't think it has tarnished the image of the coalition," he said.

MCA has openly split into two factions since the party purchased two Chinese newspapers amid strong public protest in May 2001.

Ng is aligned to MCA Team A led by party president Dr Ling Liong Sik ( left ) while o­ng is aligned to MCA Team B led by deputy president Lim Ah Lek ( right ).

On Tuesday, the pro-Ling presidential council referred Ong to the party's disciplinary committee for further action o­n the grounds that the Youth chief had tarnished the image of MCA and BN with his "frequent outbursts and innuendos".