The MCA has been infiltrated by triads and this is the root of money politics in the party, its Youth chief O­ng Tee Keat charged today.

Calling it the political ill of 'triadism', o­ng said this development was not new to party politics because other countries such as Taiwan also faced similar problems of political bribery.

He said the influence wielded by the triads within MCA has grown due to an acceptance from within.

"The triads managed to get a foothold because their involvement has been condoned by certain leaders," hee told reporters after officiating the MCA's 54th anniversary celebration organised by the Selangor/Federal Territory MCA Youth grassroots at the Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur today.

Ong, however, declined to name them.

"This is how political bribery in various forms, including offers of party positions and other political interests, has spread throughout the party."

"We also have reasons to believe that the triads were instrumental in causing the Aug 3 fracas," he added.

During the MCA Youth annual general meeting Aug 3, 2001, delegates witnessed fistfights, flying chairs and a bomb scare as a result of the factional feud between the top two leaders - president Dr Ling Liong Sik and his deputy Lim Ah Lek.

Serious implications

Ong said all information linked to the triads in the party, including the inquiry committee report which investigated the incident, had been handed over to the police as part of the investigation into the report lodged by him.

"I am raising this now not to smear anyone but for the love of the party. It's time to get rid of such political ills."

Asked how the triads' existence was known, he said the committee had found their involvement in the course of the probe and have monitored their movements since then.

"But this is nothing new. Taiwan has a similar political ill known as 'black gold' which stands for triads (black) and politics (gold)," he explained.

"We have furnished the necessary details to the police and as a believer in the rule of law, I am confident that justice will be served."

Expressing his sadness over the involvement of triads in MCA, O­ng maintained that his allegations have yet to be challenged.

"I will not name the leaders but we know who they are and have even run checks o­n them."

Asked why o­nly now did he decide to reveal this information, he said that of late, members have been repeatedly reminding him about political bribery and asking him to do something about it.

Defamatory remarks

In another matter, o­ng said he is considering a defamation suit against Ling's eldest son, Hee Leong, for allegedly accusing him of trying to sabotage the dinner organised by Lembah Pantai MCA division last night.

The remarks by Hee Leong, who is the youth wing's Lembah Pantai advisor, was reported in a Chinese-language newspaper o­n March 5 but o­ng had denied the allegation immediately.

Both are aligned to the opposing factions.

Despite an ultimatum by o­ng last Wednesday to retract and issue a public apology within 48 hours, Hee Leong has failed to do so.

Ong, who is also MCA vice-president, said today: "I've passed it to my lawyer to handle. I'm merely exercising my right as an individual to protect my integrity, not because I am deputy minister."

He also declined to elaborate when asked when he will file the suit against Hee Leong.

Asked why he had not raised the matter with the party's disciplinary committee instead, o­ng said he had learnt his lesson from the Youth fracas.

The party membership stands at about 650,000.