Business tycoon Soh Chee Wen ( photo ) said he would heed MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik's call to resolve the problem of money politics in the party by going through proper channels.

Last Friday, Soh had claimed that he knew of at least two senior MCA members who were guilty of money politics.

Ready to disclose

On Sunday, media reports had quoted Ling ( photo ) as telling Soh to submit information or documents to the relevant authorities.

Contacted yesterday, however, Soh responded: "He had (previously) instructed party members to go through the proper channel within the party (disciplinary committee) o­n this money politics issue. I (will) follow his instruction. Why should I be the exception?"

Soh, a former close associate and protege of Ling, insisted that the information he possessed should be forwarded to the party's disciplinary committee headed by veteran member Kam Woon Wah.

"I don't cast any doubt o­n the (effectiveness of the) authorities, but we know those agencies need a long time for investigation," he explained.

"(And) Ling knows fully well that the authorities will take a long time to investigate...maybe (the investigation) can't even be completed before Ling steps down in 2005," he said in reference to L:ing's announcement o­n Sunday that he would not defend his post in the 2005 party election.

Soh reiterated that o­ne of the leaders allegedly involved in money politics was "immorally using public money for his personal expenses and to support his extravagant lifestyle", while the other was using the money "to buy gifts for delegates to gain their votes".

He said he was open to any challenge by Ling to disclose the names of these two leaders.

Contradicting claims

Soh also urged Ling and the disciplinary committee to "make up their mind" as to whether or not he will be called to testify as a witness in a disciplinary hearing called against MCA Youth chief o­ng Tee Keat ( photo ) for allegedly tarnishing the party's image.

Among other accusations, o­ng had claimed that two senior leaders were involved in money politics.

"Ling reportedly said (this decision o­n calling witnesses) lies with the disciplinary committee, but Kam said it can o­nly hear cases which are referred to it by the president. So what is all this nonsense from Ling?" Soh asked.

According to Article 123 of the party constitution, the five-member disciplinary committee can o­nly hear or initiate disciplinary proceedings o­n cases referred by the president.

Earlier, Soh had said he would o­nly disclose the information as and when the disciplinary committee initiates proceedings against him.

"If they refuse to call me to testify, I will have other options to reveal it...it won't take long," he said yesterday, declining to elaborate.

Business dealings

Soh has repeatedly claimed that Ling, who is also transport minister, has used his office to conduct business deals and still owes him close to RM150 million from a business deal that has fallen through.

He filed a writ of summons against Ling and Linksun Avenue - a company owned by the MCA president's son Hee Leong - in January to reclaim the money.

On Jan 24, a foreign investor lodged a police report against Ling, Hee Leong and Soh, claiming the trio owed him RM100 million from a business deal that fell through in 1997.

Soh, who became a member of both the MCA central committee and presidential council in the 1990s later claimed he was given the top party posts because he had helped to develop Ling's business as well as propel Hee Leong's rise in the corporate world.

His relationship with Ling deteriorated during the 1997 financial crisis when their business collaborations were severely affected.

The businessman was charged with defrauding a now defunct stockbroking firm of RM490 million before he fled the country four years ago. He returned last May to face charges.