KUALA LUMPUR: Those hoping to make a political comeback cannot expect to wipe the slate clean of their wrong-doings with mere apologies, MCA vice-president Datuk Ong Tee Keat said yesterday.

Speaking after launching his MCA presidential election campaign web portal at his service centre in Pandan here, Ong said politicians should not expect to be "cleansed" of their wrong-doings even though they had admitted to the mistake and apologised.

He said everyone who had committed an act that went against social and moral values must face the music.

Ong, who is also transport minister, announced three weeks ago his intention to run for the MCA presidency in the party elections on Oct 18.

Yesterday, he said he was disappointed with the "remarks made by certain individuals who had deliberately subverted social values".
"There are claims that any perpetrators who had infringed on moral values will be cleansed once they say sorry or bow out."

It is believed Ong was referring to former MCA vice-president and health minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, who has been touted to be a contender for the presidency.

Dr Chua resigned from all government and party posts when a tape of his sexual liaison surfaced in January.

Dr Chua had also apologised to everyone.

Asked if everyone should be given a second chance, Ong said that anyone could make a political comeback as long as one was prepared to be judged for their social and moral wrong-doings.

"You can make a comeback, but you don't have the right to impose yourself on others."

He added that these "perpetrators" were making excuses by putting the blame on others.

"These people even argue that it is those who exposed their wrong-doings who should be faulted, claiming that their privacy was breached."

The website www.ongteekeat.net comes in two versions -- English and Mandarin -- with the header "Ong Tee Keat for President", incorporating the slogan, "Courage to Change and Creating New Values".