MCA's Heng shocked by 'money politics' claim
MCA Wanita vice-chairperson Heng Seai Kie has expressed shock over party president Dr Chua Soi Lek's claim that a “female deputy minister” from the party is involved in money politics to lobby for candidacy for the Gopeng parliamentary constituency.
MCA Wanita vice-chairperson Heng Seai Kie has expressed shock over party president Dr Chua Soi Lek's claim that a “female deputy minister” from the party is involved in money politics to lobby for candidacy for the Gopeng parliamentary constituency.
Not only is she the party’s only female deputy minister, but Heng has had a frequent presence in Gopeng, while the constituency has been allocated funds for its use. These factors could have triggered the allegation, she said.
“I am just a deputy minister who is also performing my duty as the 'foster parent' of the constituency,” she was quoted as saying in an
Oriental Daily News
report.
“If the constituency 'adopted' by me needs help, I have to go there and solve the problems and give funds in order to help BN to win the people's confidence and the next general election.”
Heng, who is also women, family and community development deputy minister, said it was MCA that had appointed her the 'foster parent' of three parliamentary constituencies currently held by the opposition - Bagan Serai, Klang and Gopeng.
In the last party election, Heng had been aligned with former president Ong Tee Keat's faction, which was nearly wiped out by Chua's faction. Nevertheless, Chua nominated her for a deputy minister’s post.
In levelling his allegation on Sunday, Chua
(right)
did not name the deputy minister but said she is a woman, thus narrowing the list to just Heng.
At a press conference in Ipoh yesterday, Heng had denied the allegation and stressed that contesting the general election is not her priority.
"(But) if MCA or BN think that I am suitable to contest, I would not decline," she told Malaysiakini in a text-message today.
According to Oriental Daily News , she said that baseless and malicious allegations are a norm in Malaysian politics in the run-up to elections, and that she does not feel she is under pressure.
Heng also said she would ask Chua to name those who had complained about her, and insisted that reporters do the same.
