DAP expels ‘rouge councillor’ Tee

Klang municipal councillor Tee Boon Hock, who was alleged to have misused a Selangor exco member’s letterhead to secure contracts for his cronies and family, has been expelled from DAP.

National DAP disciplinary committee chairperson Tan Kok Wai made the announcement today following a meeting of the party’s powerful committee with Tee this afternoon.

Tan also announced that the party would be writing to the Selangor government to request that he be immediately removed as Klang municipal councillor.

Tee was reported to have misused Selangor exco member Ronnie Liu’s letter head and seal to obtain contracts worth a total of RM1 million for 20 companies, at least one of which belonged to a ‘family member’.

Tee had brought with him three witnesses – the business partner of his son Tee Chin Chin, a contractor from another company, and a DAP member – to the disciplinary committee hearing this afternoon.

In the press conference held at the DAP headquarters in Petaling Jaya, Tan said the disciplinary committee had studied all the documents relating to the allegations against Tee and verified that there was a basis to the allegations.

The committee was also informed by the party’s Selangor committee that at least one of the companies to which he had issued a letter of support was related to his son, said Tan, and this was done without Liu’s authority.

Tee’s explanation, that he did not know his son was a partner in the said company, was not sufficient to convince the committee that the acts done by him were justified, Tan added.

The committee therefore found that Tee had acted in serious breach of the party’s principles and in violation of the party’s constitution, said Tan.

“It has been the party’s firm and unyielding principle that all party leaders, particularly for those who hold public offices, must exercise their powers with integrity to uphold the general interest of the public as well as the good name of the party,” said Tan reading from the comittee’s letter to Tee.

“This (case) has no doubt seriously tarnished the reputation and image of the party. Such action could even constitute a criminal offence to be charged in court,” he added.

Police report to be lodged, council position uncertain

According to the party constitution, Tee has 14 days to appeal the disciplinary committee’s decision. Another hearing by the committee will be held to hear the contractors’ side of the story.

At least 15 companies have been identified as being involved in the scandal. The date for the hearing has yet to be determined, said Tan.

Liu, meanwhile, will be directed to lodge a police report on the matter to allow a full investigation by the police of any probable criminal wrongdoing, said Tan.

Tan also read out the committee’s press statement to the media and expressed the party’s objections in general to the practice of issuing “support letters for business or commercial purposes.”

While letters of support for welfare assistance, appeals of reductions of compound summons, application of hawkers’ licenses, education loans and scholarships are allowed as these are in the public interests, Tan said all elected and non-elected party officials are directed to henceforth refrain from issuing business support letters for commercial purposes.

“As a matter of best practice, this directive should apply across the board to all Pakatan Rakyat elected and non-elected officials as well. This is in line with Pakatan’s position of upholding the principle of good governance in state administration.

“At the same time, all Pakatan officials including state agencies should disregard all bussiness support letters that are issued to them in order to ensure that all commercial dealings are above-board and to avoid any negative public perception of malpractice or favourtism,” said Tan.

He also warned that the party would not hesitate to take action against any party official found to have breached the directive against issuing such letters.

“All party officials must maintain the highest standard of ethical conduct in all dealigs whether of a public or private nature. Only then can Pakatan continue to inspire the confidence of the public.”

Tee could not be contacted despite repeated attempts to reach him on his mobile phone.

Mkini