Klang municipal councillor Tee Boon Hock has denied all the rumours that he has been misusing state exco member Ronnie Liu’s letterhead to secure contracts for his cronies.

The councillor, who was once Liu’s aide, said he will answer all the charges in a full board local council meeting tomorrow morning.

NONE “I shall not comment now. I will issue a statement tomorrow,” he said when contacted.

Pressed for details, Tee ( left ) said he was bound by a gag order issued by the party.

Tee is in the centre of a controversy, highlighted by Star today, involving the alleged use of Liu’s letterhead to issue support letters to secure RM1 million worth of contracts for 20 companies since 2008.

The report also claimed that the companies were his cronies and one company was owned by his relative.

The English-language daily had also reported that the councillor, a party veteran, had his reappointment into a third term of office vehemently opposed by Liu, who is the state DAP deputy chairperson.

However, quoting sources, the report said Liu’s views were pusged aside by the other “state level leaders”, who had apparently given full backing to the councillor.

When approached today, Liu was tightlipped about the accusations.

Buddies turned rivals?

Recent events have caused the DAP rumour mill to go into overdrive, with many insiders speculating that the controversy involving Liu and Tee is related to the state-level party elections to be held at the end of this year.

It is understood that the Tee enjoys the broad support of many branches in the state and that “unseen forces” are trying to undermine him.

NONE Prior to the March 2008 general election, Tee was Selangor DAP’s most recognisable face as the assemblyperson for the Pandamaran state constituency, now held by Liu.

It is common knowledge that Tee had “invited” Liu ( right ) to contest the seat, where the former had lost twice in 1999 and 2004.

Armed with a sizeable local machinery, Tee became known as Liu’s “biggest backer” and was appointed constituency coordinator and Klang Municipal Council DAP whip.

Evidence of cosy ties between Liu and Tee was also apparent in the Selangor Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) hearings .

It was revealed then that Tee was entrusted with disbursing funds for 167 out of 168 constituency projects, after receiving cheques issued as part of Liu’s state allocations.

National leadership steps in

But as the party elections are drawing near, party insiders believe that both the Selangor DAP strongmen are now rivals and that the polls outcome will have some influence over who will stand for the Pandamaran state seat next.

In the 2008 party polls, Tee trailed Liu by a sliver of votes and both were elected to the Selangor DAP committee. Tee was then appointed state party organising secretary while Liu was made deputy state chairperson.

Rumours are rife that Liu tried to draw first blood by stonewalling, albeit unsuccessfully, Tee’s appointment as a councillor.

Sources said the top national DAP leadership are worried about the potential fallout and had met both Liu and Tee recently. It was decided that the latter would be kept as a councillor but will relinquish his position as whip.

Liu is likely to benefit from the current controversy over the “support letters” as Tee’s reputation among the party’s grassroots would be tainted.

DAP wants ‘Star’ to show evidence

In another development, national DAP disciplinary committee chairperson Tan Kok Wai said the party views the report in Star seriously and will investigate any allegations of malpractice by its party members.

tan kok wai dap pc 010808 01 “Liu has also denied to me that he had made those remarks published in Star . To date, Liu has also not made any written complaint on this matter to me or the party.

“DAP is willing to investigate the matter and hopes that Star can assist by providing evidence of any alleged wrongdoing by Selangor DAP councillors,” said Tan in a statement today.

Tan ( left ) also implored for the party’s nominees for local government councillors to be vetted by a state DAP selection committee.

“No councillor will be appointed if there is any evidence of wrongdoing. DAP will act firmly and will neither protect nor permit any wrongdoing by party leaders and members that is against the public interest.”