MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik today dispelled speculation that businessman Soh Chee Wen's return to the country could effect some changes in the party leadership.

"I frankly don't think so. I have nothing to do with him now, and he has nothing to do with me in his business dealings too," Ling replied when asked on the talks currently making its rounds among the Chinese community.

After going into hiding overseas for three years, Soh, 42, was back in Kuala Lumpur yesterday to face two charges for defrauding the now defunct stockbroking firm, Omega Securities, between Sept 1997 and January 1998 of over RM400 million.

Speaking to reporters at his office in Putrajaya, Ling who is also the transport minister said it was Soh's right to return to Malaysia to face "all those things that caused him to leave the country for a little while".

However, when asked if any offer will be made for Soh, his protege once, to come back into the MCA leadership, he replied with a firm "no".

Asked if there was any reason for not taking Soh back, he again answered "no".

Ling also declined to comment on the possibility that Soh may file lawsuits against him within the next few months.

Matured members

To another question on whether Soh's return will disrupt MCA, he said he believed the party members are matured enough.

Soh was a former rising star in the MCA holding the posts of central committee member and division chief under the patronage of Ling. He is now an ordinary member of the party.

The relationship between the two soured after Soh sued Ling as well as the latter's son and daughter-in-law for owing him RM149 million from the sale of shares in Linksun Avenue Sdn Bhd. The case was struck off by the Kuala Lumpur High Court last year.

In February this year, Ling said that he would not be surprised if law suits were filed against him by his opponents in the run-up to the party election scheduled for June 29.

Soh was charged by the Securities Commission in 1999 with two offences of defrauding Omega Securities. In April that year, he fled the country.

Subsequently, the SC issued a warrant of arrest against him on April 19, 2000. Soh was also placed on Interpol's list of wanted persons.

Yesterday, when Soh met reporters outside the Shah Alam sessions court where he was charged, he kept stressing that he missed the local 'fish head curry', a pun which many believed was targetted at Ling who had popularised the term to describe MCA leadership.

Soh had claimed trial to his two charges and is on a RM2 million bail. The hearing will begin on Nov 18.