Journalists covering Chua Soi Lek's visit to Bukit Mertajam last night suffered a rude shock when asked to leave the hall abruptly, 20 minutes after the event kicked off.

Without warning, the emcee announced that it was a "closed door" gathering and invited journalists seated at the two front tables near the stage to pack up their stuff and leave.

"We thank you for your contribution and for your presence here," said the emcee, whose remarks were greeted by thunderous applause from the 1,000 odd guests.

chua soi lek dinner at penang 260310 dinner About 200 delegates from Kedah and 180 from Penang participated in the dinner to show support for the MCA presidential candidate.

The incident caught journalists by surprise as most did not expect this attitude from a MCA president wannabe who has been preaching democracy and free speech.

Chua had told the media that he had declined a chairpersonship in the Star as he believed that newspapers should be free from political control.

However, this was the second time journalists were shut out of an MCA event in Penang, the other was in Bukit Tengah recently.

Journalists cry foul

"It was they (MCA) who invited us to give coverage to this dinner, not that we asked to come," said a furious journalist.

Another chided the party for its rationale (of barring reporters) when the microphone was blasting away and the fanfare could be witnessed and heard through the open window panes.

When the organisers finally brought out two tables for the waiting journalists, a reporter from one of the Chinese presses shouted at them.

chua soi lek dinner at penang 260310 journalist They left the dismantled tables at the front porch, looking rather annoyed.

Inside there was also a minor kerfuffle between a journalist and the emcee, who later clarified that reporters were only allowed to join the party for a few minutes to take pictures.

Guests started trickling into the Tanah Liat Moral Uplifting Society building at about 6.30pm.

About 50 participants were seen on their seats, chattering away, when Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen appeared about 7.15pm, and toured the hall shaking hands with guests.

The promises roll on

She waved at the journalists from a distance but did not approach them. At about 7.30pm, Chua's arrival was greeted by two dancing lions, which accompanied him to the venue.

He took a whole 15 minutes to circle the large hall, which by then, was breaming with people. He was greeted warmly by endless handshakes and smiling faces.

During his speech, Lau, who is former Berapit assemblyperson, introduced several key people in the crowd by singing their praises.

Among the crowd were Housing and Local Government Minister Kong Cho Ha, Sabah Assistant Minister Khoo Keok Hai, and several MCA division leaders, including Loh Hock Hun (Tanjung), Goh Poh Chuan (Kepala Batas), Tan Lai Theng (Bayan Baru), Chuah Tee Sung (Balik Pulau) and Koay Kar Huah (Bukit Gelugor).

Many central committee candidates, who wore their election numbers around their necks, went around the hall, distributing their name cards.

In his address, Chua expresse gratitude to his ardent supporters - Ng, Kong and Khoo - for their willingness to sacrifice their government positions for him.

"If I lose this election, they will have to be prepared to lose their ministerial posts," he told the applauding crowd.

C chua soi lek dinner at penang 260310 arrival hua ( below centre ) said he will continue to uphold the principles of democracy and has fulfilled his promise by calling for fresh party polls.

"MCA needs a strong and vocal leader and not just someone who calls himself a saviour," he added, obviously taking a jibe at his opponent Ong Ka Ting.

"MCA needs a leader who will speak up on various issues, for example, the keris -wielding episode by Umno (during their AGM)," he added.

Chua left in a hurry at 9.30pm without speaking to reporters.