I REFER to your report “Tee Keat shows a ‘non-team’ and manifesto” (NST, Oct 1).

There are a few points on which I need to set the record straight.

First, I wish to point out that the launch of Datuk Ong Tee Keat’s “Agenda for Change” (”election manifesto” in your words) had nothing at all to do with Datuk Yap Pian Hon’s function. The launch event was solely for unveiling the manifesto. An invitation was also extended to your newspaper. I cannot fathom how it could be in any way linked to Yap.

Second, the tone of the report suggested that Ong had gone back on his word about not having cai dan (list of approved candidates). Your report went on to say that the “charade” was over with the launching on Sept 30.

For the record, all MCA central committee members (like the president, secretary-general, vice-presidents, etc.) were invited. So were all divisional chairmen and delegates nationwide. Some of these people have expressed their intention to contest senior positions during the Oct 18 triennial Malaysian Chinese Association elections.

Certainly, the NST could have come up with a better conclusion than to say that those who showed up for the Sept 30 launching were part of Ong’s team. How can that be, when the organisers invited all top leaders and divisional leaders to the event?

And how can Ong’s reply be “coy” when he reiterated that he did not have a team — a stance from which he had not wavered?

I also find it puzzling that the NST found it unusual that Ong “did not bash his opponent (Datuk Chua Jui Meng)”. Perhaps you would like to enlighten the readers since when this has been Ong’s culture.

Neither was there any mention in the manifesto about MCA disposing of shares in Nanyang Press Holdings Bhd.

CHOW KUM HOR, Special functions officer for Datuk Ong Tee Keat, Putrajaya

Source: NST – October 3, 2008