Businessman Soh Chee Wen today vowed to continue his action against former MCA president and Transport Minister Dr Ling Liong Sik despite the latter's resignation from the posts recently.

In a telephone interview with malaysiakini , Soh ( photo ) described his next course of action as "business as usual".

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad accepted Ling's resignation as the transport minister yesterday - five days after he relinquished his MCA presidency with his deputy-cum-nemesis, Lim Ah Lek.

Commercial offences

Soh, a former ally of Ling has served a writ of summons at the Kuala Lumpur High Court to Ling and his eldest son, Hee Leong o­n January in a bid to recover his losses of RM149.2 million that he lent to Linksun Avenue (a company owned by Hee Leong).

The 43-year-old businessman also accused Ling ( left ) of intending to create a business empire through his son by using his political influence and position in the government.

"Business as usual, nothing specific changes o­n the horizon, I will continue with my action against him (Ling) and his family," he said.

"Nothing will deter me from pursuing my action," stressed Soh, who did not rule out the possibility of an out of court settlement.

"I am always open to a fair, equitable and constructive settlement," he said.

Although Soh has accused Ling of various wrongdoings and openly called him a " liar ", the latter has remained silent over those allegations.

However Umno leaders have repeatedly asked for Ling's explanation, saying the allegations could hurt the Barisan Nasional coalition in the coming general election

Some political observers noted that the former MCA leader could have secured a pledge from Umno - the dominant party in the ruling coalition - that he would come out relatively unscathed in his legal and financial problems as a key condition for his resignations.

Responding to this, Soh said: "I don't think so, I think it is to the contrary. He will not be the exception from what he has done."

Money politics

Apart from legal action, Soh has also openly claimed he knew of at least two senior MCA leaders who were guilty of money politics .

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

Asked whether his allegations led to Ling quitting before the expiry of his presidency in 2005, Soh said it was Ling who "led himself to this situation".

"I don't think I am the factor. It was probably his own action that led to this. But obviously many people are hoping for that," Soh said.

Ling is being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Agency for the alleged commercial offences.

Apart from Soh, a foreign investor had also 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.

The duo's relations turned soured 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 when he had returned to Malaysia last May. He had fled the country four years ago.

To-do lists

Meanwhile, Soh told the new leadership in MCA to outline a manifesto to let the Chinese community know what the party can do for the people.

"There is a huge of to-do lists for those sitting at the top to clear. o­ng Tee Keat's ( left ) triads politics allegations, poison-pen letter against o­ng Ka Ting and the allegations of phantom members in the party must be resolved first," he said.

Ka Ting, a protege of Ling was elected to be the party president last Friday while Chan Kong Choy - a staunch supporter of Team B helmed by the resigned deputy president - is the number two.

A widely-circulated poison-pen letter recently claimed Ka Ting ( left ) had close ties with two secret society leaders in Penang and Selangor. The new MCA chief denied it and lodged a police report.

"If the party does not clear all these serious allegations first, then it would be as what the Chinese proverb says "Different soup, same ingredients," Soh said.