The embattled leader of Malaysia’s top Chinese political party plays to stay on, a newspaper reported yesterday, reversing his earlier pledge to resign after losing a vote of confidence.
The Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), the second-largest party in the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, has been divided by a power struggle between party president Ong Tee Keat and a rival who was suspended over a sex tape scandal.
NO CONFIDENCE
MCA members issued a vote of no confidence against Ong earlier this month and overturned the suspension of former health minister Chua Soi Lek, who was forced to leave the Cabinet last year over the sex scandal.
Ong told the English-language daily New Sunday Times that he had decided to stay on after he and Chua agreed to set aside their differences, amid fears the leadership battle could undermine the ruling coalition.
“My conscience is clear,” he told the newspaper, adding that “between honouring my personal pledge [to resign] and upholding public trust, I was mindful of the necessity to choose the latter.”
SUPPORTERS
“Had I failed miserably [as president], I don’t think the public or grassroots would bother to shower me with encouragement and support in my difficult time,” said Ong, who is also transport minister.
An aide to Ong confirmed he had made the comments.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has pressed the party to resolve the crisis, fearing it was hampering the coalition’s efforts to claw back support from minorities, who swung to the opposition in elections a year ago.
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