Friday, July 11, 2014

DAP and MCA trade poison arrows over ‘future richest man’ issue

MCA Youth vice-chairman Tan Kok Eng has released a statement today claiming Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng (picture) is confused over the correct ministry in charge of multi-level marketing after Lim said he will write to the Deputy Finance Minister to investigate CDTUP International and its multi-level marketing scheme.
Segambut DAP Member of Parliament Lim Lip Eng has shot a salvo back at MCA over a company run by a Chinese national claiming to be “the future richest man in the world”.
MCA Youth vice-chairman and MCA Youth Federal Territories chairman Tan Kok Eng had claimed that Lim did not know the difference between the Finance Ministry and the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry.
This came about when Lim called on the authorities to investigate a company, CDTUP International Sdn Bhd, and its founder Zhang Jian, a young Chinese millionaire.
“Over and over again, I am repeating myself.
“I made the complaint to three authorities — the Royal Malaysian Police, Bank Negara and the Domestic Trade Ministry.
“I asked the three authorities to investigate this group and see whether it has broken any laws.
“So far, there is only a black-and-white letter from the police.
“Police said this is not police business, but that it contains criminal elements under the purview of Bank Negara Malaysia.
“This is in writing. In the same letter, police asked us to forward the complaint to Bank Negara,” said Lim.
On its website, Bank Negara states that it “reports to the Finance Minister and keeps the minister informed of matters pertaining to monetary and financial sector policies”.
Lim said the only verbal response he had received from that sector was when newly-appointed Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong told the press that the matter did not come under Bank Negara, but rested with the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry.
“There is a deafening silence coming from the Domestic Trade Ministry. I wrote to the minister and hand-delivered it,
“If this is a get rich quick scheme, it is under the Domestic Trade Ministry, but can Bank Negara initiate investigations under the Financial Services Act and Anti-Money Laundering Act to ascertain the source of their funds?
“This chap claims to be from China. Why are Bank Negara and Chua too lazy to initiate investigations?
“When police push it to them, they pushed it to Domestic Trade.
“There is no harm in initiating investigations. What is so harmful for multiple investigations to be carried out at the same time?” asked Lim.
On why he had posed his questions at a deputy minister who had only just been appointed, Lim claimed there were photographs of the owner of the company standing with MCA leaders.
“The owner took photos with almost all MCA leaders — from previous leaders like Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting to current president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai. They shared the same stage at a public appearance.
“So, I think it is correct for me to ask an MCA leader, who is also the Deputy Finance Minister, whether this is linked to their leaders.
“But if it is not, say it is not,” said Lim, adding that as it was in the public service, MCA should answer questions for the public.
Tan released a statement today claiming Lim was confused over the correct ministry in charge of multi-level marketing because he had said he will write to the Deputy Finance Minister to investigate CDTUP International when such business schemes fall under the jurisdiction of the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry.
“Obviously, Lim is trying to confuse the situation by creating nonsensical allusions to Chua, which indicates DAP’s despicable political ploy.
“Chua has been very clear that no businesses may begin operations without the permission of the respective government departments or agencies.
“Lip Eng should better understand that direct marketing falls under the purview of the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism.
“Unfortunately, he is ignoring his own complaint as he only cares about whether his political goals will be reached, that is using a separate issue and magnifying the topic to attack MCA,” claimed Tan.
Tan also accused Lim of confirming he and DAP were only capable of attacking BN-based Chinese elected representatives to win support from the Malaysian Chinese, but dared not challenge any Umno minister.
“If this is the case, then clearly he is a political wimp,” said Tan.
He added that Lim had seized this opportunity without bothering to find out the proper channel for such types of complaints.
He could not wait to use this issue to create a media circus, cause confusion and divert blame to MCA.
“It is important to raise this issue to create awareness on the impact of such questionable schemes on people.
“If Lim was sincere in addressing the issue of questionable direct marketing schemes, he would have lodged reports or complaints with the relevant government departments rather than politicising the subject and creating confusion, thereby causing the whole focus of the issue to be blurred, resulting in the issue eventually backfiring,” wrote Tan earlier.

No comments: