PENANG: Kedah Chinese Assembly Hall chairman Datuk Cheng Lai Hock vows to take stern action against bullying if he is elected as the president of Huazong, or known as the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia

Cheng claims that he was subjected to severe bullying in the WhatsApp communication group of Huazong for the past six years with more than 1,000 messages of fake and malicious messages.

Speaking to reporters about the verbal attacks he has faced in the communication groups, Chong said certain individuals would post 8 to 10 abusive or false messages almost every day, and the sole target was always him.

“If I am not a strong person, I would have committed suicide by jumping down from high rise building,’’ he said.

Cheng said he has now learned to endure the verbal attacks, even treating them as a form of “entertainment,” he emphasized that this does not mean such behavior is acceptable.

 False accusations, he said, can easily cause others to misunderstand him.

Cheng said this after leading a delegation to visit the Penang Chinese Town Hall (PCTH) where he was received by PCTH chairman Tan Sri Dr Tan Khoon Hai on Saturday.

He also said that tensions could have intensified due to the Huazong election scheduled to be held in September.

“I want to win this election based on merit, not by resorting to despicable tactics,” he said.

Cheng is one of the three candidates contesting for the top post in Huazong, widely regarded as the umbrella body for Chinese organizations in Malaysia.

Two other candidates are Tan Sri Goh Ming Choon, also known as Barry Goh, who is the president of The Associated Chinese Association of Pahang and Datuk Lim Kah Chuan who is the president of The Federation of Chinese Associations Johore.

Lim is currently the deputy president of Huazong and Tan Sri T.C. Goh is stepping down as Huazong president.

Dr Tan supports Cheng for uncovering the verbal abuse, stresses on collective leadership and compliance to reflect accountability.

He said the Huazong election has developed an unhealthy trend including money politics. 

Nomination for the election closes on Sep 4. 

A total of 130 delegates from 13 states will vote on Sep 28.