MCA has suspended another party leader for allegedly running foul of the law. This time around, the axe has fallen on Kampar division secretary and Kinta Selatan district councillor Wong Lee Wah, who was arrested in early May for a drug-related charge.

The 47-year-old politician is said to be involved in an international Ecstasy trafficking syndicate in Australia.

His family has claimed that he is currently in a rehabilitation centre in Muar, Johor following police investigations.

"He is automatically disqualified under Article 14.2 of the party constitution which states that membership shall cease if a member's name is registered under the Crime Prevention Act or similar legislation," said MCA Perak chief Ong Ka Chuan ( photo ).

"The party was informed by his family (that he was sent to Muar), not by the police. His family says he wasn't involved, but what can we do if the police have made the decision?"

Ka Chuan said the automatic suspension took effect recently after the party was told about him being sent to Muar. Up to then, Wong had been held for interrogation by the police.

Last Tuesday, MCA suspended its Penang Gurney Drive branch chief Ong King Ee - better known as 'Jackie Chan' - after police launched a manhunt for him, for allegedly trying to revive a secret society called Sio Sam Ong (Three Little Emperors).

King Ee - who had been held under the Emergency Ordinance previously - is said to be the ring leader of a group believed to be responsible for a spate of crimes, including murder and kidnapping.

New candidate

Meanwhile, Ka Chuan - who is also MCA chief organising secretary - said the party would propose a candidate to fill the secretary's post in the Kampar division.

"We have also informed the Kinta Selatan district council (of the situation) and we will propose a new name to them too," Ka Chuan added.

He classified Wong's case as an "isolated" one, saying that no other state party leader had been called up in connection with it.

"I feel sad...I don't wish to see such things happen, but I take every case as an isolated case. When he joined the party, he wasn't connected to any crime and (the party) cannot control everyone," he said.

Ka Chuan said Wong was a popular figure in Kampar and generous leader who had made significant monetary contributions

"I know he has donated at least RM20,000 to Utar (the MCA-owned Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman)."

Wong had been expected to be nominated as a candidate for a state assembly seat in the coming general election.

MCA crises

Six others were also arrested in connection with the case allegedly involving Wong. Among those held was an employee with a freight forwarding company - of which Wong was a director - based in Port Klang. It is believed that the drug was shipped to Australia via this company.

In April, Australian police seized some RM200 million worth of Ecstasy powder that was found hidden in freezers imported from Malaysia.

Among those arrested in Australia in connection with the syndicate was its mastermind - a Chinese national with Dutch travel documents - while his wife was picked up in Ipoh here.

Over the past few months , MCA had been rocked by several crises following claims that the party had been infiltrated by triads.

Even new president Ong Ka Ting ( photo ) was embroiled in the controversy, although he subsequently denied being involved and lodged a police report.