Et tu, Brute?

Alone in the crowd. Ong feels he has been abandoned by his ‘comrades’. — Pictures by Jack Ooi

By Neville Spykerman- The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 — Embattled MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat today played the victim, and lashed out at his “fair weather comrades” in an apparent reference to members of the party’s central committee who have turned against him.

The transport minister, who has refused to resign despite losing a confidence vote at the party’s EGM last week, appeared to accuse his political opponents of hatching a hate campaign against him. He provided no examples of such a campaign today when met by reporters at a function here.

Asked if he felt betrayed, the MCA president said there was no need to raise any sentiments of hate.

“What makes my heart ache or painful, is how easy friendship is destroyed by political self-interest.”

He lamented that his “political comrades”, who had been fighting alongside him, had let the current political storm affect their relationship.

When asked if he was referring to Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai or members of the MCA central committee, Ong said there was no need to make specific reference, because it was not good and he “may get into trouble.”

“You are asking me about my honest feelings, I want to be truthful and this is exactly what I wrote in my diary,” said Ong.

Ong chose not to say if he feels betrayed by Liow. — Pictures by Jack Ooi

Despite the ongoing political crisis, Ong portrayed a “business as usual” attitude today by officiating the opening of the new Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Foo Clan Association building at OUG square. He also said he was touched by the messages of support he was receiving via e-mails not only from the Chinese community but also from other members of the public who want him to continue.

On Thursday, Ong refused to resign despite a call from the majority of the members of the party’s central committee, who eventually appointed Liow as the new deputy president to replace Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

However, after the meeting Ong said he would call for a new EGM to decide if the party should have fresh polls or retain him as president. Some central committee members have argued that there is no need for another EGM as Ong’s resignation could end the leadership crisis.

But the wheels are already in motion for EGM II which will have only one resolution: to support the president and remove the entire central committee.

The legal implications of such a resolution are still being debated. Central committee members have claimed that fresh elections can only be triggered if two-thirds of its members resign.

It is also unclear how delegates at EGM II can be asked to vote out the entire central committee without ousting Ong, who is also a member of the committee.