MCA: Journalist's detention unwarranted

The recent detention of journalist Tan Hoon Cheng for 18 hours under the Internal Security Act (ISA) was totally unwarranted and the reasons provided for this are unacceptable.

This was the stand taken by Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition party MCA at its central committee meeting yesterday.

Party president Ong Ka Ting said this after chairing the discussion which lasted some six hours, and covered the latest development relating to ISA arrests among other issues.

Tan, 33, a Sin Chew Daily journalist based in Penang was freed following immediate uproar by fellow-journalists, activists and prominent politicians including ministers from the BN camp.

Ong said the central committee also held the consensus view that the party should convey to the government some of the decisions made at the meeting.

“To prevent possible future abuse of the ISA, the MCA central committee calls for a comprehensive review of the ISA so that it will apply strictly to cases relating to terrorism and subversive elements,” he said.

Ong said the party leaders also decided that “there should also be a mechanism for checks and balances in the use of the ISA”.

Further to those decisions, the committee felt the party should also urge the government to release Selangor DAP exco member Teresa Kok and MalaysiaToday editor and blogger Raja Petra, both of whom were detained under the ISA last Friday.

“... they can be investigated under other laws and be charged in court if the evidence justifies this,” Ong noted.

On Pakatan Rakyat chief Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement and false impression that he would wrest the federal government from BN, Ong said the purported deadline of Sept 16 had caused the public to become “jittery and worried”.

“The meeting expressed deep disappointment and displeasure over recent speculation, rumours and lies by Anwar (left) on claims of political crossovers (from BN parties),” he said.

“It was irresponsible and had caused fear among many members of the public. They asked whether there was any truth to this and many dared not leave their homes. He has cried wolf many times and they (Pakatan) are making fools out of everybody.

“Many no longer believe him. This has caused undue worry among foreign investors (who are losing confidence) in our country.”

'Reveal Names Of MCA Reps"

Responding to a question on possible crossover by MCA parliamentarians, Ong took another swipe at the Pakatan leadership.

“If he has the numbers and the political strength, he should just go ahead. There is no necessity for him to cry wolf so many times, Ong said.

“Anwar has mentioned many times (that he has the numbers and there would be) crossovers by MCA and Umno leaders. Until now, he cannot provide any names because there is no truth to (the claims).”

Ong (left) also said Anwar should name the (MCA leaders) intending to defect.

“What is so secret about this…since he (Anwar) talks so much about transparency?”

On the Wisma MCA building, Ong said the party now wholly owns the premises following recent acquisition of the remaining 20.3 percent equity in Wisma MCA Sdn Bhd from Koperasi Jayadiri Malaysia Bhd for a total consideration of RM27.6 million.

The sale and purchase agreement signed on Aug 15 was priced on a willing buyer-willing seller basis after taking into account the current market value of Wisma MCA based on a professional evaluation.