In a press conference today after the launch of his new book, Chua said he had never said “Umno is father to MCA” in his interview with Malaysiakini on Saturday, claiming Lim had spun his statement and made an issue out of it.
“I said MCA, Umno and other component parties are partners in the Barisan Nasional coalition.
“He (Lim) is doing his best to twist statements, just like he has been doing since DAP was in the opposition,” he said, in response to Lim’s press statement claiming MCA’s relationship with Umno is like “a father and son” relationship instead of being equal partners.
Chua had said in that interview that MCA received money from former prime minister Najib Razak in 2013 for the general election.
Lim, the Iskandar Puteri MP, had queried why MCA did not question the source of Najib’s money.
Chua, who was MCA president from 2010 to 2013, said it was not wise for Lim to behave like an opposition leader now.
“Behave like one of the government members because now his party is part of today’s government,” he added.
Chua also maintained his stand that MCA, which suffered its worst election defeat in 60 years in the last general election, should quit BN for good.
“We have to face the reality now and move out from BN to build our own party.
“If there is any decision to regroup again, that can be decided later,” he said when asked to comment on MCA’s fate in BN as a component member.
When asked about the timing for his book launch that is near the MCA polls in two weeks’ time, Chua said he had no vested interest in the MCA election.
“The members should elect a new leadership team that is brave and walks the talk. Not people who talk about the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative but avoid issues such as Felda, 1MDB,” he said.
Chua is not the first former MCA top leader to ask the party to leave BN.
Former MCA vice-president Dr Ng Yen Yen also said the party should quit BN in order to “rehabilitate” itself.
Earlier today, about 300 MCA grassroots members and Chua’s supporters attended the book launch at Hotel Istana today.
Chua’s book, entitled “Like Me or Hate Me: Rising from the political ashes”, narrates his rise from being a doctor to health minister.
Chua’s book also touches on his sex scandal in December 2007 that caused him to quit his minister’s position and as Labis MP.