Loke clarifies attending 'gang dinner' allegation, ropes in MCA chief

Editor's note: The article has been updated with Anthony Loke's response.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has clarified the allegation that he attended an underworld dinner and roped in MCA president Wee Ka Siong.

“It is a duly registered association under the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

“It is normal for elected representatives to attend Chinese association fundraising dinners,” he told Malaysiakini.

The transport minister also shared the name of the organisation as “Kelab Sosial Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur”.

Loke then pointed to Wee’s Facebook post on March 10 about attending an event organised by “Kelab Sukan dan Rekreasi Saudagar Malaysia” which uses a similar logo of old Chinese coins.

The MCA president said that Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing was also present.

Loke was responding to whistleblower Telegram channel “Edisi Siasat” which accused him and other DAP lawmakers of attending a “Gang 04” dinner.

Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng, who was among those present, said it was a “fundraising dinner organised by a registered trade association”.

He told Malaysiakini that the dinner was held at an international conference hall in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations.

“Is it wrong that I accepted the invitation to attend the dinner?” he asked.

Fundraising dinner

Previously, Sin Chew Daily reported that the dinner on March 3 was organised by a “commerce and industry” association to raise funds for a new building.

It also said that Loke donated RM40,000 while Lim and Federal Territories DAP chairperson Tan Kok Wai gave RM5,000 each.

Others present were DAP assemblypersons Wong Siew Ki (Seri Kembangan), Yew Jia Haur (Teratai) and Ong Chun Wei (Balakong).

The “Edisi Siasat” post, which contained a 44-second clip of the event, claimed that the “gang's logo” was displayed at the event.

“Geng 04 buat jamuan makan mlm besar2 siap tayang logo kongsi gelap depa. Tengok2 ahli politik DAP ramai2 kat situ termasuk Menteri Pengangkutan Anthony Loke. Malaysia Madani !! Ha3. (Gang 04 holds a lavish dinner where its logo is displayed. Look at the numerous DAP politicians who were there, including Transport Minister Anthony Loke),” read the post.

The “Edisi Siasat” Telegram channel is known for highlighting allegations of abuse of power and corruption against the police and other government departments.

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