DAP Youth chief Anthony Loke today questioned reported plans by MCA investment arm Huaren Holdings Sdn Bhd to acquire a stake in Tanjong PLC’s gaming business.

"First of all, is it true that they plan to do this? If it is, then where is the moral authority of the MCA? Is it (MCA) a business or a political party?" asked Loke in a press conference at the parliament lobby today.

Tanjong PLC is the third largest in Malaysia's numbers industry after Berjaya Sports Toto and Magnum, and operates the 3D and Big Sweep draws.

Online daily Malaysian Insider had reported earlier today that the Huaren is planning to use the funds from its recent disposal of a 42 percent stake in English daily Star to fund the planned purchase into Tanjong.

However, MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek in a statement later today denied that MCA was bidding for Tanjong.

“The report is purely speculative because we have no interest in bidding for Pan Malaysian Pools Sdn Bhd,” he said.

“The MCA is open to any investment opportunities but it has no intention to be involved in gaming businesses.”

NONE Loke ( left ) had this morning asked whether MCA's lack of opposition to the Finance Ministry’s previous plans to issue 20 special draws annually to gaming companies and the support given by the Chinese party to plans to legalise sports betting was due to its business interest.

"Did they support the plan because they already plan to buy into the gaming business?" he asked.

Loke pointed out the conflict of interest that may result from such a move, as there is a MCA deputy finance minister in the ministry whose decisions impacts heavily upon the gaming industry.

"MCA is still part of the government. Albeit they are powerless, but they are still part of the government and this may cause conflict of interest," he reasoned.

He stressed that if the MCA persists in going ahead with buying the gaming company, the DAP will continue to hound them about it.

Chua threatens legal action

Chua ticked off DAP for jumping the gun by attacking MCA without verifying the accuracy of the news report.

NONE “It should get its facts right. The MCA will seek legal recourse against any party that continues to speculate this issue that has no basis at all.

“The DAP, being part of the Pakatan Rakyat government in Selangor, should instead explain the mushrooming of cybercafes, ‘health centres’ and ‘reflexology centres’ in the state.”