KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Morality should not be used as a weapon to run down potential candidates, including former vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, in the upcoming MCA elections.

Wanita MCA chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said that Dr Chua should be given another chance if he were to contest as he had privately and publicly apologised for his past behaviour.

Dr Chua, who is the former Health Minister, had resigned from all posts after he admitted to having been in a sex video. He has been tipped to make a comeback and contest for the presidency.

"This person had made a moral mistake and apologised to the family and the world. If his wife and family can forgive him, who are we not to? Let the delegates decide who they want."

"The upcoming party elections should not be filled with accusations," she told reporters here yesterday.

Dr Ng was commenting on media reports yesterday that quoted MCA vice-president Datuk Ong Tee Keat as saying that 'tainted' public figures could not be 'cleansed' simply by owning up to their wrongdoings but must instead bear the consequences.

Dr Ng said Dr Chua was brave enough to admit his mistake and deserved to be forgiven especially by the party as he had paid the price for what he had done by losing his minister's post.

"I do not dare decide or judge someone else's morality except my own. Can you give me a leader that scores a 100% mark in morality?" she asked.

Dr Ng said she had not decided whether to contest the presidency or another post as she had to first study the MCA men's mindset.

"I am confident of my capabilities but I have to study the men and see if they are ready for a woman leader as 80% of the central delegates are men," she said, adding that Kelantan MCA had backed her for the top post.