Fresh tussle inflames MCA’s relationship with Anthony Loke and Nga Kor Ming

Focus Malaysia:

Fresh tussle inflames MCA’s relationship with Anthony Loke and Nga Kor Ming

MCA and DAP may both be part of the ruling coalition, but their ongoing clashes have become a glaring source of division, disrupting any semblance of unity, and this could threaten to fracture the government’s stability.

Former transport minister and current MCA leader Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong has now accused his successor Anthony Loke Siew Fook of alleged double standards for “correcting” him on the cost of the proposed high-speed rail (HSR) project.

According to Wee, his statement on the cost of the HSR project was based on previous news reports saying it is expected to cost RM120 bil.

Due to the ‘inflated costs’, Wee asked the government to reconsider its implementation.

“[My sources are) a report by Singapore’s Straits Times (ST) dated Feb 19, 2024, which predicted that the cost of the HSR would increase to at least RM100 bil, and a report by New Straits Times dated Feb 22, 2024, which quoted transport analyst Rosli Azad Khan that the cost of the HSR project was expected to rise to RM120 bil.

“If these news reports are false news, and it has been over six months, why haven’t these reports been corrected by Loke? Why is Loke ‘angry’ about his comments,” Wee asked.

Yesterday (Sept 6), Loke questioned Wee on the estimated cost of the HSR project, which has spiked from RM70 bil to RM120 bil.

On the other hand, the relationship between the two parties took a bad turn with the MCA criticising Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming over a parking incident after his official vehicle was allegedly parked illegally at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC).

When asked to move the car, the driver allegedly refused and argued with the auxiliary police.

MCA Youth secretary-general Saw Yee Fung condemned the minister’s team for repeatedly disrupting public order and called for Nga to issue a public apology.

The incident sparked outrage online, with claims that the driver made controversial remarks, suggesting preferential treatment for Malay ministers over Chinese ministers.

“Nga and his team have repeatedly abused the privileges of ministerial office, monopolising public resources and disrupting public order, causing inconvenience and endangering the public,” said the MCA politician. – Sept 7, 2024