KUALA LUMPUR: MCA has condemned a fake news report circulating on social media claiming that the party has left the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.
MCA supreme council member Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said the fake news report was issued to create tension in BN after it had overcome "potentially explosive issues by political consensus".
"The fake news was created to excite and stimulate Pakatan supporters, especially DAP supporters, who are losing steam and are low-spirited as a result of their (party’s) continuing spins, empty promises and lack of result-oriented politics. Even their social media team is losing steam, and people are less interested in their news nowadays," he told the New Straits Times when contacted today.
Ti, who is also MCA’s Religious Harmony Bureau Chairman, said he believes this is another tactic by the opposition to trick the people, which is similar to the opposition's claim in 2013 that BN had recruited Bangladeshi nationals to vote in that year's general election.
"This (fake) news goes to show that the opposition is getting desperate and jittery... lies after lies were created and dirty, underhanded, insidiously-low tricks were resorted to. (Are these) the type of leaders we are going to trust to lead the nation in the future? This is utterly low, disgusting and unhealthy. It must be stopped," he said.
Ti said MCA is a party with well-founded traditions and conventions, with its own definite strength.
"Thus, many in the opposition are desperately wanting MCA to abandon the BN ship without which they cannot destroy BN. MCA holds steadfast to the spirit of consultation, tolerance and consensus building, practiced by BN. As long as BN continues on this path, we will swim and sink with BN," he added.
It is believed that the fake news article began circulating on April 1, which is April Fool's Day. The article was dated March 31.
MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz are among several BN leaders quoted in the news report, who supposedly confirmed that MCA had left the ruling coalition.
"Liow was in India meeting with the Indian Railways Minister. He didn't speak to reporters on March 31. It's a fake statement," said Liow's press secretary, Lim Chau Leng, when contacted.
The article also claimed that Liow had spoken to reporters after a "quarterly MCA Central Committee meeting", and that this was the "biggest political development in Malaysia".
However, it featured the byline "Neo Tar Pean", which means "you have faeces" in Mandarin. Several spelling and factual mistakes were also present.
On Twitter, MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong urged the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to investigate the spread of the "slanderous" news on social media.
"There are people claiming that MCA has left BN. This is a malicious lie. The persons responsible have the intention to spread chaos," said Wee.
MCA national education bureau chief Chong Sin Woon also condemned the article via Twitter, calling it a "big lie". When asked by a follower whether the DAP was behind it, he said: "They are good in lying".