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Chua quits all party, gov't posts
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Syed Jaymal Zahiid | Jan 2, 08 3:44pm
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Embattled MCA vice-president and Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek has quit politics altogether by relinquishing all his party and government posts with immediate effect.
Chua, who turned 61 today, made the stunning announcement at a packed press conference at his ministry office in Putrajaya, just a day after he vowed he would not resign in the wake of a sex scandal which featured him in a video recording. Earlier today, some 50 party members had gathered at his ministry from various parts of Johor in order to dissuade him from resigning, but Chua was adamant about his decision. “I have tended my resignation letter to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak and MCA president Ong Ka Ting,” said Chua, who had been appointed health minister soon after the 2004 general election. “I am relinquishing my position as health minister, MCA vice-president, Labis MP, Johor MCA liaison chief and Batu Pahat MCA division chief.” Chua, who is married with three children, was caught in the scandal after the mysterious distribution of a video recording of his liaison with a woman he has described as a "personal friend". Yesterday he had owned up to being the man in the video but stressed that he would continue performing his duties as a party leader and government minister. Flanked by supporters, a calm Chua told the hastily-convened press conference, which began at 3pm and ended 40 minutes later, that he arrived at the decision because “the rakyat wants me to resign”. “I hope my resignation, made on moral grounds, will serve to be a lesson to not just MCA members, but to all the Barisan Nasional component party members as well – that those who commit offences and possess certain weaknesses must be responsible for their actions,” he said. ‘Not a hypocrite’ He expressed disappointment that the public has adopted a holier-than-thou attitude on the issue and noted sarcastically that "maknanya semuanya golongan ulamak" (it must mean they are all very pious).
“I thought that by my admission, the people would forgive my weaknesses, but I thought wrong. This shows that honesty does not always pay, (but) it is up to the public to judge me,” he said. Chua said his family was fully supportive of his decision, but conceded that the scandal was taking a toll on them. "I live in a very close-knit family… I thank God that my family had shown support in this time of difficulty. I am a very family-oriented person and I am grateful that my family has shown me nothing but support.” Chua’s wife Wong Sek Hin, had yesterday released a press statement professing her support for her husband. Saying that his resignation would stop people from “following me everywhere (and) placing hidden cameras to capture my every movement”, he described this as a “very sick and unhealthy political culture”. “I will not be the first nor the last to fall from this sickening method,” he said. Line drawn He said his resignation was also prompted by what was best for “healthy political practice and the Islam Hadhari concept”.
"If you want to discuss my private life, please do. Maybe you would like to watch the videotape with me," he told the female reporter who had pressed him on the video clip. Asked if he thought a political rival had recorded the footage, Chua said he did not want to speculate on the matter. “The prime minister has personally told me that he would investigate who is behind the video, so let’s leave the matter at that.” Chua had previously hinted at the possibility of a political motive on the part of the person who recorded the footage, said to have been recorded with cameras placed at four spots in a hotel room. Two videos were produced from the footage. Despite the sombre situation, he was able to joke when asked what he intends to do now that his political career has ended. “Maybe I will become a reporter. Maybe my vast experience will be of great value if I become a reporter,” he quipped to laughter.
“I am now a regular person but I will always support MCA and the leadership of the BN government. (I) thank the party (for the trust it has) vested in me,” he said before waving to reporters and leaving the room. Sex scandals among politicians are not uncommon in Malaysia, with several members of Umno – the dominant party in the ruling BN coalition – having been pressured to resign over the years. Chua met Abdullah on Monday to discuss the situation and it was decided then that he had to go public with his identity. The resignation will hit Abdullah's government hard. He is expected to call a general election this year although his administration's mandate runs until May 2009. |
He has also stepped down as the member of parliament for Labis. Up until his resignation today, he was also the party’s Johor state chief as well as the Batu Pahat division head. 
Chua further said he felt proud that he had made the confession and that he could stand tall because he was not being hypocritical. 
Caustic to the last, he drew a line between his public and private life, refusing to comment on the incident portrayed in the tape. 
Chua expressed gratitude to the Abdullah, the MCA leadership and his supporters before making his exit. |
PM: Up to MCA to choose replacement
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| Andrew Ong | Jan 2, 08 7:19pm |
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Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today said he accepted Chua Soi Lek’s resignation as the health minister and left it to MCA to choose a replacement. “His decision (to resign) is appropriate,” said the premier in a specially arranged press conference at his office in Putrajaya this evening. Just hours earlier, Chua in a hastily arranged press conference at his office at the Health Ministry in Putrajaya, announced his immediate resignation from all party and government posts. Apart from his position as health minister, he is also stepping down as MCA vice-president, Labis MP, Johor MCA liaison chief and Batu Pahat MCA division chief. Confirming Chua’s decision, Abdullah said that he would leave it to MCA to decide on Chua replacement. The party was holding its presidential council meeting to discuss Chua’s resignation while the premier was talking to the media. No further actions “I don’t think there is a crisis because the party leadership has the ability to handle the matter and face the general election,” he said. The premier also said that no legal action would be taken against Chua over his sex scandal. He added that Chua had decided to resign from all his posts after considering the public sentiments and the well-being of the party. Abdullah also revealed that the matter was not discussed during the cabinet meeting today. Chua was also present at the meeting. The prime minister said that he only became aware of the scandal yesterday, adding that he had not seen the video. “Chua’s explanation yesterday is sufficient,” he said. MCA's list ready Chua was embroiled in a sex scandal after video recordings of him engaging in sexual activities with a woman surfaced in Johor last week. Yesterday he admitted that it was him caught in action in the video and sought public apology for his actions. Meanwhile MCA president Ong Ka Ting said that the party “regretfully accepts and respects his decision to be accountable for his actions”. He also said that the party had submitted a list of potential candidates to replace Chua as the health minister to Abdullah. “It is now up to the prime minister. It’s his prerogative to appoint anyone,” said Ong after chairing the two-hour emergency presidential council meeting. Ong, who is the housing and the local government minister, also denied the existence of any internal dispute in the party. He said that the party also strongly condemned those who were responsible for recording and distribution of the sex video. |
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Was Chua betrayed twice? |
| Syed Jaymal Zahiid | Jan 2, 08 6:50pm |
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Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang today asked if MCA vice-president and Health Minister Chua Soi Lek was a victim of double betrayal which resulted in the latter to relinquish all his posts with immediate effect. “Many questions surround the sudden demise of Chua as the fastest-rising star in recent MCA history, as he appeared to be quite unstoppable until he captures the top prize in the MCA as its president despite many powerful obstacles in his path,” said Lim in a statement today. However he said that two immediate issues arise on the swift manner of Chua’s departure from the political scene, prompting questions if Chua had been the victim of a double betrayal. “The first betrayal was the very orchestrated and professional manner in the surfacing of the video DVD. Who was behind it? All fingers point to his political enemies from within the MCA,” said Lim. “The second betrayal was whether he had been misled into believing that his admission in his Labis statement would suffice, and he could continue to keep his government and party posts, when in fact, his Labis statement would be the basis to force him to relinquish his government and party posts – as has now happened,” added the DAP supremo. These questions would dominate any debate or discussion of the sudden demise of Chua in the annals of Malaysian politics, added Lim. In announcing his resignation today, Chua expressed disappointment that his decision to come clean with the scandal failed to save his political career. “I thought that by my admission, the people would forgive my weaknesses, but I thought wrong. This shows that honesty does not always pay, (but) it is up to the public to judge me,” he said. Not a surprise Chua said that the woman was a personal friend and sought a public apology over his acts. He also said that he had no intentions of quitting his government and party posts. Lim said that Chua’s resignation today – merely 24 hours after standing his ground to remain in posts – had not come as a surprise to astute political observers. “This is because after Chua’s Labis statement admitting that he was the man in the sex DVD, he had unleashed political forces in the MCA and Umno which have made it completely untenable for him to retain his government and party posts,” said Lim. |
Barisan leaders declare their support
LABIS: Several Barisan Nasional leaders yesterday declared their support for Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and wished for him to continue serving the rakyat.
They also hit out at those behind the DVD, saying they had employed a dirty tactic to topple a politician.
Johor MCA liaison committee deputy chairman Tan Kok Hong said the DVD was an extreme example of using dirty tactics to damage the reputation of a politician.
"If we allow this to go on, anyone could be victimised. I hope this episode will not be repeated.
"Dr Chua has a proven track record in the development of Labis, ever since he became the MP for the constituency four years ago.
"He has contributed significantly to its development and has shown his dedication in improving the quality of life of the people in his constituency.
"We want him to be nominated as the candidate again in the next general election," Tan said at a press conference, which drew applause from other MCA leaders and members present.
Umno Labis division chief Datuk Sulaiman Tahar, who expressed his sadness over the matter, said Dr Chua had taken a bold step to come forward to reveal the matter rather than denying it.
He said he was disappointed that there were people out there who would intrude into other people's private life, especially if it was politically motivated.
"This is a shameless act. However, as part of the BN family, we will not allow this to shatter our unity and our spirit," he said.
Former health minister Datuk Seri Chua Jui Meng said his heart went out to Dr Chua and his family and he hoped that they would stay strong and united.
"I appreciate the fact that Dr Chua did not deny committing the act. It takes courage and humility to admit to it.
Chua Resigns
MCA Vice-President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek has resigned as Health Minister, and from all party posts as well as MP for Labis, with immediate effect.
Dr Chua, 61, made the announcement himself at a press conference held at the ministry at 3.35pm.
Yesterday, at a press conference in Labis, Johor, he apologised to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Cabinet ministers, party leaders and his wife and family for what had happened.
He also described the woman who appeared in the videotape engaging in sexual acts with him as his personal friend and that he did not make the recording himself.
Dr Chua said his resignation had been conveyed to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting.
“The (resignation) letter is finding its way to his (Abdullah’s) office,” he said at the packed press conference which lasted more than 45 minutes.
Clad in a dark suit, Dr Chua who was cool and collected, said: “I am relinquishing my position as Health Minister, MCA vice-president, Labis MP, Johor MCA liaison chief and Batu Pahat MCA division chief.”
He hoped that his resignation would be a lesson to all leaders whether in the MCA or other component parties of the Barisan Nasional (BN).
Dr Chua, who took his oath of office as Health Minister on March 30, 2004 after winning the Labis parliamentary seat in the general election that year by defeating DAP’s Tee Gey Yan with 10,729 majority votes, said he decided to relinquish all the posts after getting feedback from the people.
“After making my admission (yesterday), I was hoping that Malaysians would accept my apologies but from the feedback I received, they could not accept.”
Dr Chua said he did not want to be a burden to the party and government if he continued holding the posts.
He said as an MCA member who had held government positions for almost 20 years, he would remain loyal to the party and BN leadership.
The medical doctor who graduated from Universiti Malaya in 1973, began his political career as a Johor state assemblyman by winning the Penggeram seat in the 1986 general election and held the seat for four consecutive terms until 2004.
He was appointed state executive councillor for Human Resource, Consumer Affairs and Science and Technology (1990-1995); Environment, Consumer Affairs and Science and Technology (1995-1999); and Tourism and Environment (1999-2004).
