PETALING JAYA: It was a unanimous decision by the MCA's top leadership to probe possible disciplinary breaches by its leaders during the Johor state elections in March, says party secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon.

       Therefore, the two leaders who are being investigated – Datuk Goh Tee Tee and Datuk Tee Siew Kiong – should stop making public comments until the party's disciplinary committee decides on the matter, he said.

       "While investigations by the party's committee have begun, the results have yet to be formally notified to the presidential council.

       "Meanwhile, these two leaders have attempted to stir public opinion and put pressure on the committee. (This) is an unjust act against the majority of grassroots members.

       "I urge the two leaders to exercise self-control and await the decision by the disciplinary committee," he said in a statement on Sunday (April 24).

       Chong said the MCA central committee had always practised collective decision-making in its leadership.

       He added that Goh and Tee, as senior party leaders, should be familiar with this principle that also emphasised collective responsibility.

       "Therefore, it is irresponsible of them to point fingers at the MCA president.

       "More importantly, these two divisional leaders also understand very well that all party members, regardless of position, must adhere to discipline and uphold party ethics and its image as their primary responsibility, rather than (pin) blame on the top party leadership," he said.

       Both Goh and Tee were referred to the disciplinary committee for being vocal about not being fielded as candidates in the March 12 Johor election.

       Goh, who is Ledang division chief, claimed that MCA did not consult the division's wings before fielding a candidate, resulting in the loss of the Tangkak state seat.

       MCA’s central committee decided on March 18 to freeze the division. It appointed a three-person committee to take over its operations and meetings.

       The division’s representatives, led by Goh, then held a protest on March 31.

       Tee, the Pontian division chief, was quoted on Thursday (April 21) as saying he was ready to face any action from the party resulting from an inquiry that he was to attend the following day.

       Tee was called in after he held a press conference on Feb 25 which he claimed as “to explain myself to my supporters and voters over the reason why I was not fielded as a candidate.”

       He added that he was not in the wrong and had thrown his support behind the Barisan Nasional candidates in Pontian throughout the campaigning period despite not being fielded.