A 'joint statement' issued by MCA president Ong Ka Ting has borrowed heavily from the 'manifesto' issued earlier by his challenger, Chua Jui Meng, who made this claim today.

Waving a copy of the statement, Chua told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur: "Suddenly somebody has a manifesto. But he called it a joint-statement. Look at the joint statement, there are the points in my manifesto... I am highly flattered."

On Monday during the nomination process, Ong and his deputy Chan Kong Choy released a 'report card' stating the work they have carried out since taking over the helm of the MCA and their plans for the future should they be re-elected.

However, the duo denied that the joint statement was a manifesto released to get the attention of central delegates who will cast their votes on Saturday.

Last month, Chua had issued his election manifesto . Responding to this, Ong had said he would not come up with a counter manifesto as he is already doing the things that Chua had raised in his document.

'Advice' for Ong

Offering 'advice' tinged with sarcasm and implicitly addressing Ong, Chua said a leader should be able to produce a manifesto with vision.

"A presidential candidate must be able to tell his vision in black and white. Otherwise, why are we talking about Vision 2020?" he said, referring to the national policy targeting developed status for the nation.

Chua said he had called the press conference today because this was the only avenue for him to convey his message to the party's central delegates.

He reiterated his claim that they have been "instructed" not to meet him in person.

"Why is it that all the central delegates nationwide cannot see me? They used to welcome me warmly as a vice-president. It could not be a message from the sky," he said.

On another note, Chua said he has not changed his stance in objecting to the acquisition of Nanyang Holdings Bhd by the party in May 2001.

"My stand is very clear... I have no regrets about making that stand. A man must make a stand. I still think it was the right stand," he stressed.

He said he would set up a committee to study the acquisition of Nanyang again, should he be elected.

The acquisition of Nanyang was one of the key reasons for the protracted internal tussle between the party's top leaders.

At another press conference today, MCA secretary-general Dr Ting Chew Peh assured the central delegates of the secrecy of the ballot, and said they should therefore vote without fear and favour.

He also advised them not to show their ballot papers to anyone in any form.

The MCA Youth and Wanita assemblies and elections will be held on Friday, while the general assembly and central elections are slated for Saturday.