Former rep admits he was part of 'snoop squad'

Former rep admits he was part of 'snoop squad'
David Yeow
22 May, 2008
NST

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA Former Damansara Utama assemblyman Datuk Lim Choon Kin admitted that he was a member of the MCA "snoop squad".

He made the bombshell admission when he testified before a party panel set up to investigate allegations that such a squad was formed to spy on rivals of MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting.

The allegation was initially made by Petaling Jaya Utara division executive adviser Wong Leong. He named MCA Youth chief and Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Wee Jeck Seng and former Gerakan Belia Bersatu leader Tee Ann Chuan as members of the squad.

He claimed that the squad reported only to Ong and had been ordered to compile information on former health ministers Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and Datuk Chua Jui Meng, MCA vice-president Datuk Donald Lim and former MCA president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and his son, Ling Hee Liong.

"I told the investigating committee that what Wong Leong said is true because I also met Tee seven times to discuss how to 'strengthen the party'," said Choon Kim, adding the first meeting took place on Nov 4, 2007.

The three-member committee of Tan Sri Dr Sak Cheng Lum, Tan Sri Michael Chen and Roger Tan, was set up by the MCA presidential council to investigate the allegations.

Choon Kim also claimed that in their meetings, Tee told him that the squad operated from the 16th floor of the Youth and Sports Ministry building in Putrajaya.

When asked if there was a possibility that Tee was bluffing, Choon Kim said "No".

On how he helped the snoop squad, Choon Kim said his role was to set up meetings and introduce different MCA members to Tee, purportedly so that they could be screened by the latter.

The meetings supposedly took place at the A&W restaurant and Overseas Restaurant near Amcorp Mall in Petaling Jaya.

Also appearing before the committee yesterday was Dr Chua.

Alleged to be the squad's first victim, Dr Chua's political career came to an abrupt end early this year when a DVD was made public showing him having sex with a woman in a hotel room in Johor.

"My grassroots supporters have told me about such a squad since 2006. They said that Tee had approached and warned them against associating with me because I was a leader not liked by the top party leadership."

When the scandal broke, Dr Chua was told again by his supporters that it was Tee and Liow's doing, but he refused to point fingers at the supposed "snoop squad" due to a lack of proof.

However last week, Dr Chua said a package was sent to him by mail, containing a five-page document detailing the various meetings Tee had with different MCA leaders.

"Part of the document described the brokering process of MCA's election candidates. It was stated that if certain people wanted to be picked as candidates, they must stop supporting me," Dr Chua said.

The committee set the next hearing for May 27.