Embattled Malaysian Health Minister Chua Soi Lek has resigned over the sex tape scandal, reported MalaysiaKini. Chua, vice-president of Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) has quitted from all his posts both in the party and the government with immediate effect. Excerpts from theStar
PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek has tendered his resignation as Health Minister, MCA vice-president, Johor MCA chief and Labis MP.
He announced this at a press conference Wednesday here.
The announcement came a day after he held a press conference in Labis, Johor, where he admitted to being the man in the sex DVDs circulating in Johor.
Other developments: On an emergency meeting of the MCA presidential council concluded earlier, the MCA leaders expressed they "regretfully accepts and respects" Chua Soi Lek's decision to quit politics in the wake of the sex scandal and also strongly condemned those who are responsible for making and spread the scandalous DVD videos.
The MCA presidential council has "regretfully" accepted Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek's decision to resign from his Health Minister's post and as MP for Labis along with other part positions.
In a statement, the council said it "regrets and respects his decision to be accountable for his actions".
"It must have been a difficult decision for him and we commend him for putting his party and the country before self.
"His willingness to step down voluntarily is an example of a responsible leader," it said.
It strongly condemned those resnponsible for filming and distributing the DVDs, calling it a "blatant intrusion of privacy of a citizen and urged the police to take firm action against the perpetrators.
While Malaysia Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he accepted Chua Soi Lek’s resignation as the health minister and the position left by Chua would be up to MCA to choose a replacement.
Update: Although Chua Soi Lek was backed by most of his MCA members in the home state Johor, he was not favoured among the majority of Malaysians:
“Well, after I made the confession, I hoped Malaysians would be able to accept my apology. But unfortunately, based on the feedback that I have received, I observed that Malaysians were unable to do that. ”
"After I announced it, I thought the results would be good. But Astro [cable TV] reports that 91% want me to resign. China Press [a local Chinese paper] says 99% wants me to resign. So, it is better that I resign. "
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