MCA president Liow Tiong Lai today rebutted claims the party under his leadership had gone 'soft' on issues.
He said such claims were merely intended to sully the party's name.
"On issues like 1MDB, the RM2.6 billion and Bersih 4, MCA's stance is very clear," he claimed at a press conference at the MCA headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.
However, Liow did not state what MCA's stance on the above issues was.
Malaysiakini obtained a recording of the press conference as this news portal was banned from covering the function by MCA.
Liow was asked to respond to unhappiness by MCA members after the party's youth chief Chong Sin Woon ( photo ) came under attack from Umno leaders for saying that people had a constitutional right to attend the Bersih 4 protest.
Yesterday, Sin Chew Daily quoted unnamed MCA grassroots leaders as expressing unhappiness that the party's leadership did not defend Chong.
MCA deputy publicity chief Marco Yap also resigned from his position today, warning that MCA may sink under the weight of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's scandals.
However, Liow insisted the party's central committee had already made its position known in Chong's case.
Decision unclear
"After Chong expressed his opinion, the party's central leadership voiced its stance.
"MCA Youth then supported the central leadership decision," he said.
It is unclear what decision Liow was referring to as there were no reports of the MCA central committee taking a position other than a statement by MCA secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan ( photo ) declaring a ban on members from joining the Bersih 4 rally after Chong's statement.
Liow went on to further claim that even though MCA was moderate in its approach, it still had a strong stance and principles on issues.
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