Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat was not in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday because he was on medical leave.

NONE The ministry, in response to reports on his absence, said in a statement today that Ong was given medical leave by the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital (HUKM) and Deputy Transport Minister Abdul Rahim Bakri had informed the members of Parliament of the matter.

Ong, who is also MCA president, also did not attend the party's central committee meeting yesterday.

He was hospitalised overnight on Monday for stomach ailment and has cut down his public appearance since then.

According to his aide, Ong was not medically fit to attend the crucial CC meeting and he was under doctor's orders to rest.

At the CC meeting yesterday, the party resolved to put off its annual general meeting slated for Saturday in the bid to buy more time for the three warring factions in the party to come to a settlement.

However, later today Ong was seen attending the parliamentary sitting in Dewan Rakyat.

- Bernama