Deepak denies calling Wee, says not involved with egg import firm

 

Deepak Jaikishan has denied calling MCA president Wee Ka Siong to ask the latter to correct his remarks over the importation of eggs from India.

Earlier, Wee claimed that the controversial businessperson had name-dropped the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), in a 9.51am call yesterday, and proceeded to ask him to produce a statement over the matter.

“I don’t even have his number, let alone calling him. I suggest for him (Wee) to clarify what number called him, if it’s not me,” he said, when contacted by Malaysiakini today.

“So the question of name-dropping or whatever is part of his games.

“Now that he’s not a minister, he’s running around like a headless chicken, finding troubles with eggs," he said in jest.

Deepak (above) also refuted any relations to J&E Advanced Tech Sdn Bhd – the sole company that Putrajaya allowed to import eggs from India during a local supply shortage.

Checks on J&E’s company information with the Companies Commission of Malaysia found that Deepak was not listed as a shareholder or director in the firm.

Deepak was a carpet trader and vocal critic of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak and wife Rosmah Mansor.

‘Don’t hide behind speaker’s letter’

In related development, Deepak lambasted Wee for “hiding” behind a letter issued to him by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul, which states that MPs enjoy legal immunity when addressing the House.

Ayer Hitam MP Wee Ka Siong

Therefore, he challenged the former transport minister to a “joint press conference” in front of the Parliament tomorrow (March 15) morning.

“If he really has the courage and believes what he said is true, come outside the Parliament and make the exact statement he had stated earlier. I’ll be there to counter him.”

On Feb 22, Wee told Dewan Rakyat that the government should resolve problems faced by local egg producers and not import eggs from India - which he said were more expensive and smaller.

Putrajaya turned to the importing of eggs from India as a temporary measure to address local shortages.

Bersatu leader Azmin Ali also recently alleged that Deepak was the only one awarded the contract to import eggs from India.

In response to Azmin’s claims, Deepak told Malaysiakini that his team is in the process of filing a defamation suit against the former. - Mkini