BN Bukit Bintang candidate Dr Lee Chong Meng was made to eat humble pie last night at the Chinese New Year dinner hosted by the Selangor and Federal Territory Char Yong Association.

Before the dinner, its president Soo Kim Loong told the crowd that they were not against the government or the BN but they were not happy with Lee and would not support his candidacy.

lee chong meng chha yong association 290208 dance Lee, a veterinarian, is popularly known as ‘Dr Ayam’ in Kuala Lumpur political circle.

In his address last night, Soo said that he accepted the fact that Lee would sometimes help hawkers but in the case of the Peng Hwa food court in Jalan Pudu, Lee had overstepped his boundary.

"Lee is a helpful person. But sometimes he can be too helpful. In this case, he should have consulted us (the owners) before intervening," said Soo to thunderous applause from his 150 guests at the Hee Lai Ton Restaurant in Shaw Parade.

Twenty minutes into Soo's speech, Lee emerged. He sat down with Soo to discuss the matter before going on stage to tell the crowd that he was sorry for his role in the matter. Lee then left for another function.

Asked if the matter was resolved, Soo said, "Not so fast."

"Our committee will consider Lee’s explanation and then we will announce whether we will support his candidacy in the general elections next week," said Soo.

'Kuaci girls' in food court

Lee stands to lose some 6,000 votes if the association decides not to back him. Although Chinese guilds traditionally stay clear of politics, they are constantly being courted for political support.

lee chong meng peng hwa issue 010308 food court Char Yong Association owns the piece of land which Peng Hwa is situated and had decided not to renew their lease after it expired last year.

It was reported that City Hall (DBKL) officers had wanted to demolish the food court on Jan 9 but a "certain politician" had intervened on behalf of the hawkers to delay the demolition.

DBKL said after the intervention, the food court would be given till after Chinese New Year although their business licence had expired on Dec 31.

According to DBKL, the owners wanted it taken down as the food court had become a place for undesirable activities.

The food court is infamous for its 'kuaci girls' - women who worked as waitresses sell kuaci (melon seeds) to male patrons before offering them sexual services.

In the same report, Federal Territory parliamentary secretary Yew Teong Look said that the food court ought to have been demolished long ago as it had diverted from its approved activities.

"The place has become a prostitutes' den and it gives a very bad impression of Kuala Lumpur if it is allowed to continue," said Yew.

Watch 6-min video of Lee's explanation