In 2001, Federation of Chinese Guilds and Associations chairperson Liew Poon Siak organised a controversial tea-serving ceremony for the then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

It was reported that the premium tea leaves cost a whopping RM2,500 per kilo at the time.

The event organised with the assistance from Mahathir's former political aide Mathias Chang, drew flak from various quarters, including MCA and DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang...