The MCA Youth chief today warned his party chief, Dr Ling Liong Sik, that his unsubstantiated accusations against vice-president Chua Jui Meng could land him in court.

Ong Tee Keat told malaysiakini that Ling's remark about Chua being "a liar" has been used against several others, including himself.

"It has become a habit for him to label people 'a liar' without evidence. The only way to remind him (of the serious accusation) is by taking him to the court for defamation," he said.

Two days ago, Ling - who had initially refused to give any reasons for the sacking of Chua as the party's Kedah chief - had blamed him of trying to "politically assassinate" him.

Ling accused Chua of spreading lies about him, and smearing him and his family.

Personal attack

Ong said that a defamation suit could be the sole means for Ling to reflect on his action.

"If he has evidence, he could also bring Chua to court, and not resort to personal attacks. Or else, who is the liar?" he fumed.

Ong added that if Ling found that his family has been defamed, he has every right to take legal action, but the issue should not be associated with internal party's politics.

The Youth chief also stated that he doubted whether Ling understood the concept of democracy.

"He complained Chua has planned to overthrow him, but what is the meaning of 'overthrow'? Does he mean that an election for presidency post is considered an overthrow? If so, then he should have amended the party constitution and do away with party elections," he said.

"Every party member has a right to vote and being elected, the president does not have any privilege (to get rid of challengers)," he added.

Double standards

Ong added that Ling has practised double standards since his men claimed that the removal of Chua as Kedah chief was to give way to a Kedahan.

"We have Kelantan, Selangor and Johor chiefs who are not originally from those states," he said.

Currently, MCA Selangor and Johor are led by Ling, who is from Perak, while Kelantan is headed by vice-president Fong Chan Onn, who is from Malacca.

China Press' political commentator Eng Keng Sia said Ling and Chua have not seen each other eye to eye for a long time, especially after the deadly Nipah outbreak in 1999.

Chua has largely been censured by the Chinese community for mismanaging the outbreak which had resulted in the death of over 100 pig farmers and their families.

"Since then, Ling has distanced himself from Chua. He was worried that Chua might become a political burden for him," explained Eng.

He added that Ling could not deny that Chua is the most senior of the MCA leaders, and has the greatest potential to challenge him.

"Compared to Ling, Chua has a closer relationship with Umno leaders. And having the blessing of Umno is an important criteria to become the MCA president," Eng stressed.

Last Sunday, Chua factions held a Moon Festival celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, which was attended by Umno deputy leader, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Threatened

In addition, Eng pointed out that Ling's faction feels threatened that they will lose their 'political interest' if Chua replaces Ling as president.

Speculation has been rife in the Chinese community in the past two months that there was "secret profiteering" in MCA's acquisition of Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press .

According to Eng, the speculation might have pressured the MCA chief into making the decision to remove Chua.

"The detailed information posted on the Internet might came from well-informed members within the party, and this has prompted Ling's faction to suspect that an internal 'rival team' was responsible (for spreading the 'rumours')," Eng said.

He said the messages on the Internet have been widely read by MCA members and this might sow doubts on Ling's leadership.

According to Eng, Ling ( photo ) has started to feel the strength of the Chua's team snowballing. Hence, Ling could not wait till next year to knock Chua out.

He said a substantial number of MCA members have yet to state their stand on who to support.

"Many of them might not favour Ling, but for the sake of their business and political interests, they did not voice their political tendencies," Eng explained.

He added that Chua might start another round of roadshow to garner grassroot support.