Ong: I've nothing to do with snoop squad

Three of the four leading characters in MCA's alleged snoop squad probe have denied their involvement in the clandestine nature of the unsanctioned sub-committee.

Testifying before a three-man panel set up to investigate into allegations that MCA president Ong Ka Ting had set the snoop squad on his political rivals, three of them distanced themselves from any wrongdoing.

The three-member panel is led by Sak Cheng Lum with Michael Chen and Roger Tan being the other two members.

Ong, who met the panel at Parliament this morning, issued a statement to reporters at Wisma MCA in the afternoon.

"Allegations have been made by one Wong Leong that I had supposedly employed one Tee Ann Chuan at a monthly salary of RM10,000 to perform certain tasks.

"While those are bare and unsubstantiated allegations, they have nevertheless been widely publicised," the statement read.

"For the record, I state that there is no truth at all in those allegations. In fact, I had and have nothing to do with Tee's acts or omissions concerning the affairs of the party. The allegation that I had asked him to carry out certain tasks is baseless and untrue."

In the same statement, Ong also denied that he had set up a "secret three-man committee" to remove or weaken certain party leaders.

Yesterday, Wong had testified before the panel that Ong had not only set up a snoop squad but had used it against his political rivals.

In his testimony, Wong alleged that Youth chief Liow Tiong Lai, Johor Youth leader Wee Jeck Seng and former People's Progressive Party leader Tee were part of the Malaysian Chinese party's unofficial investigative team.

Liow, Wee call it a political ploy

Emerging after facing the panel around 4pm, Liow flatly refuted the allegations thrown at him, calling it "character assassination".

"I suspect that those involved in the allegations are resorting to dirty tactics to achieve their own hidden personal agenda," said the newly-appointed health minister.

"The so-called snoop squad in Putrajaya is baseless and non-existent. When I was deputy minister of youth and sports, my office doors were always open to visitors.

"While it is true that Tee visited me occasionally, the discussions we had were confined to youth activities and the ministry's allocation to youth bodies."

Among the 'victims' Wong named in his submission included former president Ling Liong Sik (and his son, Hee Leong), (former PJ Selatan MP) Donald Lim Siang Chai, (former party vice-presidents) Chua Jui Meng and Chua Soi Lek.

In separate interviews by Malaysiakini , Lim and Soi Lek spoke of unseen hands and eyes tracing their moves recently.

In the same vein, Wee ( right ) who emerged from the hearing after Liow, told reporters that he had no knowledge of the snoop squad.

Wee, who is deputy youth and sports minister, said that the accusations were unfair and they were likely to be politically motivated.

Tee, who met the panel at Royal Selangor Club this afternoon, could not be reached for comment.

Chua to be summoned on May 21

Speaking to reporters afterwards, panel chairperson Sak ( left ) said that they had met Ong, Tee, Liow and Wee today.

"But because Tee felt more comfortable meeting at the Royal Selangor Club, we met him there at 12 noon," said Sak.

"As for Ong, we saw him at the Parliament at 1.45pm. We have photographs available for the press," he added.

Sak explained that their duty was to gather information on the matter and they would try their best to accommodate the witnesses.

"Besides interviewing Yap Pian Hon, Lim Choon Kim and Hang Chin Pheng on May 21, we will also be calling Dr Chua (Soi Lek) to testify.

"Chua told the press that he has information to forward to the committee and we've just decided to request him to give us more information on the matter on May 21."

Analysis

MCA's clandestine squad to spy on political rivals