Tee lied to us, explains S'gor DAP over 'reversal'

Selangor DAP yesterday explained the sudden reversal in its handling of Klang municipal councillor Tee Boon Hock’s case, claiming that Tee had lied to them.

On July 28, a day after English-language daily Star reported that a ‘rogue’ councillor had misused Selangor exco member Ronnie Liu’s letterhead and seal to obtain contracts worth a total of RM1 million for 20 companies, state DAP leaders openly backed Tee.

At a press conference attended by Selangor DAP chief Ean Yong Hian Wah, deputy chief Tony Pua and Selangor senior exco member Teresa Kok and Liu, Tee denied the allegations.

The DAP disciplinary committee announced the next day that it would investigate the matter, followed by Liu’s statement that a police report would be lodged against Tee.

The following day, the nation was shocked when the disciplinary committee sacked Tee , claiming that Tee had issued a letter of support to a company, in which his son was a director, to secure a contract from the municipal council.

The sudden development drew flak from MCA, who claimed that DAP leaders had known about Tee’s misconduct and attempted to cover it up but were later forced to make a U-turn after the evidence was exposed.

Selangor DAP leaders have however denied this.

'MCA talking rubbish'

“Don’t talk rubbish when you (MCA) don’t know anything,” said Pua when contacted yesterday.

He explained that initially Tee ( left ) had denied the allegations to the state party committee, which led party leaders to back him at the July 28 press conference.

“But our chair(person) (Ean Yong) made it very clear that day that we would not hesitate to take action if we find any evidence,” he added.

Three days later, according to Pua, the state committee received a copy of a letter of support signed by Tee to secure a contract for his son’s company.

“We decided to submit the letter to the disciplinary committee and it decided to sack Tee in the afternoon after investigating the letter.”  

Kok, another leader who had earlier backed Tee, added that the “misuse of the letterhead” and the “securing a contract for his son’s company” were two separate issues and that Tee was sacked due to the latter.

She explained that the party has not made any “reversal” but had taken immediate action based on the latest development.

On the allegation that Tee misused Liu’s letterhead and seal, Kok said it was still under investigation because Tee and Liu had given contradictory explanations.

Liu’s shifting stand

However, both Pua and Kok’s clarifications still do not explain Liu’s sudden change of heart as events unfolded.

Liu did not object to Tee’s denial during his press conference and later said in a written statement “judging from what Tee has explained, I have no problems with the letters”.

However he lodged a police report yesterday alleging that his letterhead and seal had been misused.

Kok did not deny that Liu had contradicted himself, saying, “You should ask Liu about this.”

A DAP leader who requested anonymity put in the last piece of the puzzle.

He revealed that the party state committee, before learning about Tee’s misconduct, wanted Tee and Liu ( right ) to straighten things out regarding the letters of support.

“It was a question of whether Tee was given the authority by Liu to sign the letters of support. That is why Liu said he had no problem with the letters.”

But when the letter of support to secure a contract for his son’s company was discovered, Liu was forced to draw a line. Hence the police report was lodged, according to the insider.

Liu could not be reached for comment.

'Bold decisions'

Kok conceded that the scandal had put the party in a bad light.

“We can’t run away from it. We just have to face it,” she said, referring to the wide media coverage of the scandal.

She did not blame the media.

“We are the ones who opened the gate for the enemy,” she said.

But Kok ( right ) stressed that the quick action had brought in compliments from many quarters.

“Which party can make such a bold decision like us? MCA and Umno have had so many scandals, but did they sack their leaders immediately?” she posed.