The MCA Youth chief called for transparency and accountability in respect to an education fund set up by the party to help poor and needy students, which was not used for its stated purpose for 20 years.

"For the sake of transparency and accountability, it is time for the party to issue a position paper on the Chang Min Thien Education Fund in order to allay undue apprehension as well as baseless allegations made against the party by politically motivated entities and individuals," MCA Youth chief Ong Tee Keat told malaysiakini today.

Ong said that he is not pointing fingers at anyone but simply wants to make sure that the poor and needy students would eventually have access to the funds.

In 1980, philanthropist-businessman Chang Min Thien signed an agreement with 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 at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur 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.

Further delays

After a long battle in the court, the issue culminated with a High Court decision last Saturday ordering the return of the RM10 million to a company run by Chang's family.

"It would be time consuming and cause further delay to the dispensing of such monies should they, members of Chan's family, appeal to the courts or set up a new foundation," said Ong.

He suggested that the monies should instead be channeled through the existing Chang Min Thien Fund in memory of the late donor.

When asked why he is speaking out on the issue, Ong said that he is making a stand in response to the questions raised by the grassroots and members of the public.

"Justice delayed is justice denied, therefore charity delayed is charity denied," Ong said.

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[#1]Scholarship fund trustees must explain 'scandal'[/#], Oct 3

[#2]MCA treasurer reportedly keen to resign party post[/#], Oct 2