The controversial former Bukit Bintang MCA division chairperson Dr Lee Chong Meng, who now claims to be a PKR member, continues to face objections from within the party.

NONE At a press conference today, a group of PKR members said that among others, Chong Meng's background was suspect because he was once accused of abusing his ex-wife.

This was based on police reports lodged by Chong Meng's ex-wife Liaw Kuei Hsiang in 2000, which also included medical reports detailing the injuries.

According to recent reports in Chinese dailies, these documents have been widely distributed by several women's groups prior to the 2008 general election.

Back then, they had also asked Chong Meng to explain allegations that domestic abuse was the reason why he was dropped as a BN candidate in the 2004 general election.

NONE The press conference today by PKR members was attended by Wanita wing publicity chief Elizabeth Wong and wing committee member Gan Pei Nei ( right ).

Gan said that Wanita PKR would not accept anyone with a history of abusing women into the party and the central leadership should do the same.

"The national party leaders must not accept Chong Meng because the fight for women's rights is part of the party agenda," she said.

Other PKR members at the press conference also held placards denouncing Chong Meng, two of which read "PKR is not a rubbish bin" and "PKR rejects Dr Ayam".

Chong Meng is a veterinarian specialising in poultry, which earned him the doctor ayam moniker.

Flip flop over the date

Meanwhile, PKR Youth publicity chief Lee Khai Loon also questioned the several accounts given by Chong Meng on how he had signed up as a party member.

"First, he claimed he filled up a membership form in June, but never signed the document. Then, he said he already joined the party since last year.

"Now, he claims he has forgotten the exact date of his application. There is an element of dishonesty here," said Khai Loon.

NONE In an interview with Malaysiakini , during which he was pressed for the details of his application to join PKR, Chong Meng ( left ) repeatedly replied: "I have forgotten".

Khai Loon said the Bukit Bintang PKR division's election of Chong Meng unopposed as their division chief was also suspect.

Gan also claimed that there was a possibility Chong Meng was merely using PKR as a tool to settle old scores with MCA.

"We suspect he is just using PKR as a bargaining chip to extort MCA. We suspect he is not sincere in our party's struggle," she said.

According to Gan, party records show that Chong Meng was not a party member and is querying how he was "elected" as a division chief.

Chong Meng claims to have quit MCA to join PKR after MCA suspended him for three years for alleged abuse of federal government constituency allocations.

He claims innocence and says the police have cleared him of any wrongdoing.