news feature

The breaking point between John Soh Chee Wen and Dr Ling Liong Sik in 1998 was marked by the financial crisis the year before when the companies belonging to the MCA chief's son, Hee Leong, sank into debts.

"Hee Leong started behaving strangely. He subsequently confided in me that he suffered massive contra losses and had owed many brokers lots of money. He also requested me not to tell his parents," said Soh in a police report that his lawyers drafted in early 1998 but never lodged.