There has been a surprising new twist today in the MCA disciplinary board’s action against outspoken party deputy president Chua Soi Lek.

Simpang Renggam MCA division chairman Eng Cheng Guan, the man who lodged the original complaint resulting in Chua being hauled up before the board, has unexpectedly withdrawn his report.

Eng told Malaysiakini that he had faxed a request to the disciplinary board two days ago about his intention to withdraw his complaint.

On May 28 last year, Eng filed a complaint to the disciplinary board accusing the then MCA vice-president of adultery in a sex video scandal and has thus tarnished the party’s image.

He gave three reasons for his sudden change of mind. According to Eng, he disapproved of the disciplinary board’s decision to reveal his complaint letter to Chua.

“By showing my letter to Chua, the committee has failed to respect the rights of the complainant.”

chua soi lek penang bn meeting 2 Chua ( left ) has two weeks ago published Eng’s letter on his blog.

Eng also added that his complaint was made more that a year ago when former MCA deputy president Chan Kong Choy was the chair of the disciplinary board.

“They didn’t take any action then, so the case should have been closed,” he said.

MCA veteran leader Ng Cheng Kiat, who now heads the disciplinary board, has however decided to summon Chua to go before the board on Aug 4 based on Eng’s complaint.

Thirdly, Cheng said that Chua’s sex scandal was “old history”.

“No matter how big the fire, it will eventually die off. Now is not the time to dig up the issue again,” he said.

Asked whether the disciplinary board should drop the case given that he has withdraw his complaint, Cheng answered: “That’s their prerogative, let’s wait and see.”

On his accusation against Chua, Cheng replied, “I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to retract them (the accusations).”

Move to kill Chua’s political career

Chua supporters have questioned the disciplinary board’s action in reviving the complaint against their leader.

They have accused MCA boss Ong Tee Keat of being the mastermind behind the move, which is allegedly aimed at killing off his rival’s political career.

There are strong indications that Chua’s faction is planning an emergency general meeting to rally support from the party grassroots.

Sources also said that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is unhappy with the feud within the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition’s second biggest party, and has talked to Ong regarding the issue on several occasions.

In an immediate reaction, Chua said he had no idea why Eng - a rival leader from Johor - withdrew the complaint against him.

Chua said that he would leave it up to the disciplinary board to decide on whether to proceed with the hearing on Tuesday.

He said he would nevertheless be prepared to go before the board.

Attempts to contact MCA disciplinary board chief Ng were unsuccessful.