We were not forced to withdraw memo: Ong

The Sun, Kuala Lumpur
23 January 2006


We were not forced to withdraw memo: Ong

Giam Say Khoon
The Sun

The decision by non-Muslim cabinet ministers to retract a memorandum
they had given to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was
not done because of pressure but more for the sake of national interest.

"We did it in the national interest and our statement is good enough
to explain everything," MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said on
Sunday.

The memorandum called for a review of laws affecting the rights of
non-Muslims.

Asked whether they were pressured to retract the memorandum, Ong said
the non-Muslim ministers had a very good understanding with Abdullah
and the solution found was "good enough".

On Friday, Abdullah had said it was not normal or proper for the
ministers to send the memorandum as the matter could have been
discussed in the weekly cabinet meeting.

He then said he had yet to read the memorandum as he was busy looking
at the 9th Malaysia Plan but would allow the ministers to present
their views at the next cabinet meeting.

But on Saturday, Abdullah summoned and met five of the nine non-
Muslim ministers at his official residence in Seri Perdana, leading
to their withdrawal of the memorandum.

He then said the issue was closed.

"Our statement says it clearly enough to explain why we retracted the
memorandum and I do not wish to further elaborate (on) it," Ong said
after opening the party's school of political studies.

He said the joint statement issued was in line with the prime
minister's statement and him openly stating that all important and
essential issues can be discussed at the cabinet as it is the best
place to discuss such issue.

"That's what we are trying to convey -- the same thing the PM said.
It's over now and there is no need to play up the issue again," Ong
said.

"The Barisan Nasional government under the leadership of Abdullah
will also know how and when to resolve the issue."

Asked how will he and the other non-Muslim ministers explain to the
public, especially their party members, he said: "Don't worry, the
public will understand."

The other non-Muslim ministers who signed the memorandum were
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy, Health Minister Datuk
Dr Chua Soi Lek, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, Energy,
Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik, Human
Resources Minister Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn, Plantation Enterprises and
Commodities Minister Datuk Peter Chin and Ministers in the Prime
Minister's Department Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili and Tan Sri Bernard
Dompok.