In an apparent about-turn, MCA Youth chief Ong Tee Keat today said that he has no intention of accusing party president Dr Ling Liong Sik or the party leadership for any mismanagement of the Chang Min Thien Foundation.

Last Friday, Ong had called for transparency and accountability of the RM10 million fund set up by the party to help poor and needy students, which was not used for its stated purpose for 20 years [[#1]MCA Youth chief wants explanation for 'unused' RM10 mil fund[/#], Oct 6].

He had demanded the party to issue a position paper on the fund in order to allay undue apprehension as well as baseless allegations made against the party by politically motivated entities and individuals.

Since then he had faced concerted attacks from a number of MCA leaders questioning his stand.

Yesterday, Perak MCA, Johor MCA and Negeri Sembilan MCA accused the Youth chief of damaging the party image by publicly demanding explanations on the fund. MCA central committee member Chor Chee Heung also criticised Ong as an opportunist and for harbouring a hidden agenda.

In response, Ong challenged those who want him to face disciplinary action to hold a party meeting to sack him.

"At least I am not like other politicians who do not dare to bear their responsibilities," he was quoted as saying.

Position softened

However, after the party presidential council meeting today, he seemed to have softened his position.

"I have no intention of saying the party leadership is not transparent as it has never been uttered by me. I am part of the present party leadership and it is illogical for me to accuse the leadership of which I am an integral part," he said in a statement to malaysiakini .

"I am fully confident of and 100 percent with the leadership in the handling of this matter," he added.

He said he has seen Ling personally to explain and discuss the matter with him.

"I fully support the president on the handling of the matter," he said.

Comprehensive report

Meanwhile, Ling announced that the presidential council, which met this afternoon, has set up a three-person committee headed by treasurer William Chek to prepare a comprehensive report on the fund.

The report will also address the possible consequences of a High Court decision last month which ordered the money to be returned to a company belonging to its late donor, philanthropist-businessman Chang Min Thien.

In 1980, Chang signed an agreement with then MCA investment arm, Multi-Purpose Holding, entrusting the company to manage the fund under a Board of Trustees currently comprising party president Dr Ling Liong Sik, secretary-general Dr Ting Chew Peh, deputy president Lim Ah Lek and former deputy president Lee Kim Sai.

Ling had reportedly said that the issue was "not for discussion" when it was raised at an MCA weekly presidential council meeting last Monday. A party member told malaysiakini that if the fund had been managed properly from the very beginning, tens of thousands of students would have benefitted from it, and that the fund should have now grown to at least RM30 million with interest added on.

'No mismanagement'

Today, Ling said that the presidential council has been informed the money is intact in Multi-Purpose Holdings and that the accounts of the fund have been annually audited.

"This is no mismanagement," Ling said in a short press statement issued after the presidential council meeting.

He added that Youth chief Ong has met him to clarify the "misunderstanding" that surfaced over the last few days, and the matter is now resolved.

"The debate stops here," Ling said, adding that the presidential council's decision on the issue is unanimous.