MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek has accused a deputy minister from his party of lobbying BN component parties to support her candidacy for the Gopeng parliamentary seat.
Speaking to reporters in Ipoh yesterday, Chua said he had been receiving complaints on this and also accused the deputy minister of indulging in "money politics".Although Chua did not name the deputy minister, he did allude that she was female, thus narrowing it down to just one person - Heng Seai Kie.
Heng is the MCA Wanita vice-chairperson and women, family and community development deputy minister. She has no prior electoral experience and has been appointed a senator.
During the last party election, Heng was aligned to Ong Tee Keat's faction, which was nearly wiped out. Nevertheless, Chua nominated her as a deputy minister.
Gopeng has always been a traditional stronghold for MCA until the 2008 general election, which saw Ling Hee Leong - the flamboyant son of former MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik - being defeated in his first outing by PKR's Dr Lee Boon Chye.
Heng: It can't be me
Sin Chew Daily, which contacted Heng for her response, reported that she did not believe Chua was referring to her.
This was because there were several MCA deputy ministers and that she did not fit the "money politics" charge.
"Money politics is not my style. Besides, not everyone can indulge in it," she is quoted as saying.
Chua also accused the deputy minister of putting her interests ahead of party interests, saying, "She should love the party more than herself."
He also stressed that the strength of an MCA or a BN candidate depended on the entire BN machinery and not just on that of a single component party.
Thus, Chua said, all MCA leaders should forge close ties with the component parties.
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