Suspended MCA deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek's manifesto that was launched yesterday was not aimed at strengthening the party but rather to undermine the current leadership said MCA president Ong Tee Keat.

NONE Ong said he was disappointed with the manifesto (3R-Reject, Reunite and Rejuvenate) as Chua had previously said that he had no intention of meddling with his (Ong's) leadership.

"He can launch whatever he wants to because this is not the first time but what I see now is a very desperate move because in the past he had loudly promised that he had never intended to intervene in the leadership or wrest the president's post.

"What I see clearly is a concerted hidden agenda and effort to bring me down and once he returns as deputy president, he will take over as president," he told reporters in response to Chua's manifesto released yesterday, after meeting Kelantan MCA leaders.

Chua had claimed that since Ong took over the party leadership a year ago, the party's (MCA) influence in the country's political arena and grassroots had deteriorated and Ong must take responsibility for what had happened.

Keeping the delegates informed

Ong said Chua's action also showed that he was not a matured politician.

"You can create a thousand issues if you want to but it will only reflect the credibility and maturity of a leader. I do not want to dispute or argue with anybody.

"What I want to do right now is to inform the delegates of what is actually happening in the party," he said.

As for his visit to Kelantan, Ong said he met the division leaders, explained to them what was happening in the party and received feedback for the betterment of the party.

"It is one way of getting feedback of the actual scenario with regards to the status of the party. To me, I cannot determine what happens during MCA's extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on Oct 10. Only God and the delegates will know. I am just carrying out my duties as the president," he said.

- Bernama