MCA Kampar division chief Dr Chong Fah confirmed today that his division secretary, Wong Lee Wah, is the individual reported to have been arrested for alleged involvement in a multi-million Ecstasy trafficking syndicate in Australia.

He told malaysiakini that rumours about Wong's arrest have been circulating since last week and that top party leaders have expressed concern over the matter.

Bad reflection

"At this moment, we can't do much because we have to wait for police investigation. It would not be fair for me to comment further o­n it," he said.

However, Chong said that if the allegations were true, then it would reflect badly o­n the party. Chinese-based MCA - the ruling coalition's second biggest party - is already reeling from accusations that some of its leaders are linked to criminal groups.

The New Straits Times reported today that the 47-year-old man (whom it did not name) - who is also a Kinta Selatan district councillor - was taken away into custody by officers of Bukit Aman narcotics division recently and is being held under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act, which allows for a 60-day detention.

According to the report, another six people connected with the case were also arrested over the past three weeks.

Among them was an employee from a freight forwarding company in Port Klang, in which Wong is believed to be a director.

20 years in politics

The report added that police had crippled a Europe-Australia Ecstasy trafficking pipeline in Sydney last month and seized the psychotrophic drug worth RM200 million (A$92 million), hidden in freezers imported from Malaysia.

Wong has been active in politics for 20 years and is serving his first term as the MCA Kampar division secretary.

Meanwhile, a party veteran in Perak told malaysiakini that Wong - who is aligned to MCA's Team A - is expected to be nominated as a BN candidate for a state assembly seat in the coming general election.

"He has been very active in raising funds for Utar (the MCA-owned Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman) and is a well-known figure in Kampar. He is also very close to Kampar MP Hew See Tong (a pro-Team A leader)," said the veteran leader, who declined to be named.

"With his arrest, it would be difficult for Wong to contest the coming polls."

The Utar campus, which is located in Kampar, is currently under construction.

Meanwhile, MCA secretary-general Dr Ting Chew Peh ( photo ) claimed that he was unaware of the arrest of the party's Kampar division secretary.

Ting is also the member of parliament for Gopeng - which is part of the Kinta Selatan district council - as well as Port Klang Authority chairperson.

"You are the first o­ne to call me regarding this case... I am not aware of any media report about it," he told malaysiakini when contacted over the phone this morning.

However, he was quick to add that any party leader found guilty of criminal offences will be sacked from the party.

"This is stated clearly in the party's constitution. Under Article 14.2, a member shall cease membership if his name is registered under the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 or under similar legislations," Ting said.

No internal inquiry yet

The MCA secretary-general explained that unless the presidential council receives a formal complaint, the party would not initiate an internal inquiry into the matter.

Although claiming that he was unaware of Wong's arrest, Ting said he knew Wong as a generous party leader who donates frequently to various causes.

He refused to comment whether this latest case was linked to triads politics as claimed by Team B leader and party Youth chief o­ng Tee Keat in March.

Narcotics department deputy director Mangsor Ismail and other Bukit Aman officers could not be reached for comment today.