MCA Youth has written a letter to seek a meeting with Inspector-General of Police Norian Mai regarding the status of police investigation into the fracas that marred the wing's annual general meeting two years ago.

"We want the culprits to be charged in court as soon as possible. That's why we need to hear the police's side of story and convey our hope that the investigation will be concluded as soon as possible," said its secretary-general Liow Tiong Lai.

"It has been 19 months since the fracas and we haven't seen anything yet....We want the truth to be revealed to the public," said the Youth leader who headed the wing's investigation committee regarding the fracas.

Present with him at a press conference in the MCA headquarters this afternoon were Youth legal bureau chief Lim Seng Chai, and central committee members Lee Li Yew and Lim Boon Thiong.

The three were also members of the investigation committee. The fifth committee member Tay Khim Seng was absent.

'Ong meant well'

Liow defended Youth chief O­ng Tee Keat who alleged o­n Sunday that the party was infiltrated by triads.

"He (Ong) meant well. He voiced out his concern about problems in MCA so that the leaders and members can come together to overcome the problems," he said..

He said he was disappointed with party president Dr Ling Liong Sik and secretary-general Dr Ting Chew Peh for having asked Ong to provide names to support the 'triads' claim.

In turn, the Youth secretary-general challenged the two leaders to provide names to back their criticisms of money politics in MCA at a party bash two weeks ago.

"Both Ling and Ting said some leaders practised money politics by organising trips to Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Hatyai for their supporters. I'm sure the two leaders have detailed information to share with us," he said.

He said Ling's call yesterday that O­ng should either abide by the party constitution or leave MCA was "harsh and unfair".

"I was even more surprised when the party president claimed that he had not received any report from us when in the newspaper reports dated Sept 4, 2001, he said he was looking into our report," said Liow who showed copies of newspaper cuttings to reporters.

"Maybe that's (to do with) him... He always forgets things these days," he added.

Pictures and names

Asked if the investigation committee found any Youth leaders among the grassroots being triad members, he replied, "The pictures and the names are in the report. If you look at it carefully, you will know the answer."

Meanwhile, legal bureau chief Lim said the report had clearly indicated that there was "gangsterism" in the party.

"Look at the pictures, if these acts are not gangsterism, what is? If I have to tell the top leaders what to do with this, I might as well sit up there (in their posts)," he said.

Since O­ng made his shocking disclosure o­n Sunday, leaders aligned to party chief Ling have criticised the Youth chief for his remark.

Wanita chief Dr Ng Yen Yen had urged o­ng to "think twice" before making any more statements o­n the matter while MCA Johor chief Dr Chua Soi Lek had called for the party's disciplinary committee to initiate actions against O­ng.

Ong, however, stood by his statement and said yesterday that many witnesses who testified to the investigation committee were threatened.

MCA split into two Team A led by Ling and Team B led by party deputy president Lim Ah Lek. Both Liow and o­ng are aligned to Team B.