Snoop squad - will the truth prevail?

Shui luo shi chu is a notable idiom embraced in Chinese philosophy as a plea for divine justice that the 'truth' will ultimately be exposed.

It was therefore not surprising that this idiom is being used by those alleging a 'snoop squad' in MCA that the truth would eventually prevail, symbolised by the phenomenon of the rocks (the truth) being exposed when the water sinks (to a lower level).

Recent testimonies of witnesses, presented to the three-man probe committee led by party veteran Dr Sak Cheng Lum, inevitably raised even more questions.

Who is lying and who is telling the truth?

Confidential documents

Since the establishment of this three-man panel comprising two other members - lawyer Roger Tan and party veteran Michael Chen - several witnesses involved or implicated (many of whom named by key witness Wong Leong) have since offered their cooperation by providing their testimonies.

These testimonies have indicated that alleged snoop squad coordinator Tee Ann Chuan had in his possession confidential party documents which could only be accessible from top party officials.

It was also alleged that Tee had a close working relationship with former deputy minister, now a full minister, Liow Tiong Lai, and there are claims purportedly known to many individuals within the party that Tee was even given an office in a certain ministry to coordinate his clandestine operation.

According to Liow’s denial in a written press statement, “the so-called snoop squad in Putrajaya is baseless and non-existent. When I was the deputy minister of youth and sports, my office doors were always open to visitors.

"While it is true that Tee Ann Chuan visited me occasionally, the discussions we had were confined to youth activities and the ministry’s allocation to youth bodies. Mr Wong’s allegations on the snoop squad therefore are baseless and lies.”

But MCA PJ Utara deputy chief Lim Choon Kim had claimed that his numerous meetings with Tee were related to party matters and not youth activities or youth-related projects as purportedly claimed.

In a press statement on May 14, party president Ong Ka Ting had described Wong Leong’s allegations as part of a political smear campaign against him in the run-up to a contest for party leadership and threatened legal action for defamation.

Wong had earlier alleged that former Gerakan Belia Bersatu youth leader Tee had disclosed to him being supposedly employed by Ong and on a monthly payroll of RM10,000 during the time in question.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Liow in a separate press statement denied outright of his involvement as alleged and blamed those making the allegations against him for using “dirty tactics” to achieve hidden personal agenda. In addition, Deputy Youth and Sports minister Wee Jeck Seng, another MCA leader named in the controversy, also claimed innocence.

It is interesting to note that the full content of Tee’s testimony was not disclosed by the three-man probe committee.

Smear campaign

Wong Leong’s testimony which provided details of certain party leaders having met Tee are being supported by witness, Lim Choon Kim - also former state assemblyman of Damansara Utama - who confirmed at the hearing that he had met Tee more than five times since their first contact on November 2007 at Amcorp Mall in Petaling Jaya.

Can the dispute on the “snoop squad” allegation be finally resolved “politically” when the three-man probe committee submits its report to the presidential council?

Both disputing parties have invariably agreed on one observation that the controversy on the snoop squad is a political issue.

Ong Ka Ting in a press statement said, “I believe that the wild allegations made by Wong Leong are part of a political smear campaign against me in the run-up to the party elections.”

Despite the acknowledgement of the dispute being “political”, recent indicators in the development are suggesting that the contentious matter may be dragged into the court involving charges of defamation.

Apart from legal ramifications, several “side issues” related to the dispute are emerging.

Former Serdang MP Yap Pian Hon had also raised a question on the lack of terms of reference pertaining to the function, aims and objectives of the three-man panel committee.

Since the probe committee’s main function is to gather information and to compile a report to be submitted to the presidential council, would those implicated or involved in the dispute be precluded from discussion and decision-making so as to avoid conflicts of interests?

Wong Leong also raised the issue of what he claimed as “double-standards” imposed by the probe committee on the declaration of statutory statements made by him. Wong questioned whether those witnesses denying the allegations before the three-man committee were equally bound by the same procedure.

Former party vice-president Dr Chua Soi Lek disclosed that he had submitted a “report” (in Mandarin) to the probe committee, which he had received three weeks ago through the post.

He had proposed to the hearing committee that in future the identities of witnesses should be protected so as not to prejudice their contests for party positions in view of the coming branch elections.

Those who had provided their testimonies so far included Wong Leong, party vice-president Donald Lim Siang Chai, Lim Choon Kim, Dr Chua Soi Lek, Ong Ka Ting, Tee Ann Chuan and Wee Jeck Seng.

Former party secretary-general Dr Ting Chew Peh had received a notice to appear before the probe committee but declined to attend. Yap Pian Hon had requested to postpone his attendance pending a reply from the committee on a few questions raised by him.

Some within the party believed that wu feng bu qi lang, parallel to the saying that there is “no smoke without fire”, or there is “no waves without wind”.

Yet, many believed that there are no victors in this dispute, and the party will eventually be the major loser.