KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 – The scathing remarks by a Barisan Nasional backbencher calling for Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat to quit as transport minister has raised hackles within the MCA president’s inner circle.
Ong’s political secretary Simon Lim today warned two Barisan Nasional (BN) backbenchers over their comments made in Parliament and told them to butt out of government and Cabinet affairs.
While he did not name the two lawmakers, it was reported on Thursday that Sri Gading MP Datuk Mohamad Aziz had said that Ong should not create “problems” for the prime minister and should quit from the Cabinet after losing the confidence of MCA party members.
The backbencher’s comments prompted a stern response from Lim, who retorted: “These people should just mind their own business.”
“Whether Dato’ Sri Ong – or any other Ministers – had failed to live up to expectations is for the Prime Minister, their own political parties and the people to decide. They should respect the Prime Minister who made the appointment. They have no rights to poke their noses in,” said Lim in a statement to the media.
Lim also questioned the motives of the call for Ong to quit.
“I am not sure if the two MPs have any hidden agendas in calling for Dato’ Sri Ong’s resignation now. Their action have prompted questions like: Were they acting under instructions from anyone? Are they taking advantage of certain political developments to further their own agendas? Or are they deliberately helping to fuel rumours that certain quarters outside MCA are seizing the opportunity to hit out at Dato’ Sri Ong?” wondered Lim.
The political secretary also urged the MP’s to observe House decorum.
“The Parliament is the highest legislature of the land. People who attend the sittings there must observe decorum and show respect to the House. Behaving otherwise not only brings disrespect to themselves , but also mar the image of the August House,” said Lim.
He acknowledged that BN backbenchers in question were “experienced” and urged them to air their grievances with Ong in the proper channels to deny giving the opposition any political ammunition as it was reported that Mohamad’s quit call was warmly received by opposition lawmakers in parliament.
Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who was also asked to quit by Mohamad for alleged non-performance, was unfazed and told reporters today that he would not.
“My answer to him is ‘no’. That is wrong. We will not be distracted. We are committed to what we want to do,” said Koh today.
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