Wee Choo Keong

Key Points

• Wee Choo Keong is a former Malaysian politician and lawyer, known for his tenure as Member of Parliament (MP) for Bukit Bintang (1990–1995) and Wangsa Maju (2008–2013), and as former chairman of Tourism Malaysia.

• In 2023, Wee faced police investigation for alleged criminal defamation related to blog posts questioning a joint venture between Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad (MAHB) and BXC Travellers Sdn Bhd.

• His blog, weechookeong.com, was blocked by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in July 2023 without prior notice, prompting legal threats from Wee for violating his freedom of speech.

• No direct customer feedback exists, as Wee’s activities are primarily political and legal, not consumer-oriented, though public sentiment is mixed due to his controversial political career.

• Reputational and legal risks are significant due to ongoing investigations, past legal battles, and his history of polarizing political actions.

Overview

Wee Choo Keong, born June 26, 1953, is a Malaysian politician and lawyer of Kelantanese-Chinese descent. He served as MP for Bukit Bintang (1990–1995) under the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and for Wangsa Maju (2008–2013) under the People’s Justice Party (PKR), later becoming an Independent in 2010. He founded the Malaysian Democratic Party (MDP) in 1998 after his expulsion from DAP. Wee was appointed chairman of Tourism Malaysia by the Barisan Nasional government in 2015. He is known for his outspoken blog, weechookeong.com, started in 2008, where he criticizes corruption, business-political ties, and government policies. In 2022, he ran unsuccessfully for Wangsa Maju under the Warisan party. His legal and political activities focus on exposing alleged misconduct, often targeting high-profile entities like AirAsia and MAHB.

Allegations and Concerns

• Criminal Defamation Investigation (2023): Wee was investigated by the police’s Technological Crime Investigation Unit following a report accusing him of criminal defamation. The allegations stem from blog posts on May 1 and 3, 2023, questioning MAHB’s joint venture with BXC Travellers Sdn Bhd, a company Wee claimed was “bankrupt” and linked to a 2018 scandal involving Geeko Tech Sdn Bhd and RM99 million.

• Blog Blocking by MCMC (2023): The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) blocked weechookeong.com on July 24, 2023, without prior notice or explanation, which Wee claimed violated his constitutional right to free speech. He threatened legal action against MCMC, demanding the blog’s restoration within 24 hours.

• Controversial Political History: Wee’s expulsion from DAP in 1998 for allegedly damaging the party’s image and his subsequent party-hopping (DAP, MDP, PKR, Independent, Warisan) have drawn criticism for political opportunism. A 2010 blog post described him as “vindictive” and suggested personal issues compromised his effectiveness.

• Unsubstantiated Claims: Wee’s blog posts, such as those alleging AirAsia owed RM50 million in airport taxes, have led to lawsuits (e.g., a 2015 defamation suit by AirAsia, which he won). Critics argue his claims sometimes lack evidence, risking defamation.

Customer Feedback

As a politician and lawyer, Wee does not have direct consumer-oriented services, so traditional customer feedback is limited. Public sentiment from media and online platforms provides insight:

• Positive Feedback: Supporters praise Wee’s tenacity in exposing corruption. A voter in Wangsa Maju, Khaw Chui Ching, said, “Even if you field him under a clown face logo, we will vote for him,” reflecting loyalty among some constituents for his advocacy.

• Negative Feedback: Critics view Wee as divisive and opportunistic. A 2010 blog post noted, “This Kelantanese-Chinese Wee Choo Keong is living in a twilight zone… vulnerable to UMNO-BN’s bribery and corrupt practices,” highlighting perceptions of political instability. DAP’s youth wing in 2010 urged the Anti-Corruption Agency to investigate Wee for allegedly lodging a false report, indicating distrust.

• Mixed Sentiment: Wee’s blog and public statements generate polarized reactions, with supporters valuing his outspokenness and detractors criticizing his confrontational style and party-switching.

Risk Considerations

• Reputational Risk: Wee’s history of party-hopping, legal disputes, and blog-related controversies may undermine his credibility, particularly among political opponents and regulatory bodies.

• Legal Risk: The 2023 criminal defamation investigation and MCMC’s blog blocking pose ongoing legal threats, with potential for fines, restrictions, or further lawsuits if his claims are deemed defamatory.

• Financial Risk: While no personal financial misconduct is reported, legal battles and fines (e.g., a RM7,000 contempt of court fine in 1995) could strain resources.

• Cybersecurity Risk: The blocking of his blog highlights vulnerabilities to censorship or cyberattacks, especially given his criticism of powerful entities, increasing risks of targeted hacking or impersonation.

• Political Risk: Wee’s outspoken criticism of government and corporate entities may lead to further investigations or restrictions, limiting his political influence.

Business Relations and Associations

• Political Affiliations: Wee has been associated with DAP (until 1998), MDP (founder, 1998), PKR (2008–2010), Independent (2010), and Warisan (2022). His 2022 candidacy under Warisan was supported by party president Shafie Apdal.

• Legal Practice: Wee operates a law firm, focusing on court cases, though specific details about clients or partners are not public.

• Tourism Malaysia: As chairman (2015), Wee was linked to controversies, including a reported outburst against AirAsia at a 2016 expo, prompting a Tourism Ministry probe.

• Blog-Related Associations: Wee’s blog posts named MAHB CEO Iskandar Mizal, BXC CEO Elizabeth Ken Tzu Ying, and others in connection with a questionable joint venture, drawing scrutiny but no confirmed partnerships.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Lawsuits:

  • 1993–1995 Contempt of Court: Wee was fined RM7,000 for contempt after violating an injunction by MBf, which led to his disqualification as MP for Bukit Bintang in 1995. The injunction was later set aside in 2007, and Wee sought damages for lost income.

  • 2015 AirAsia Defamation Suit: AirAsia sued Wee over a blog post alleging RM50 million in owed airport taxes. The High Court dismissed the suit in 2018, ruling no malice was proven. AirAsia paid Wee RM50,000 in costs.

  • 2023 Criminal Defamation Investigation: Wee was investigated for blog posts alleging misconduct in MAHB’s joint venture with BXC Travellers Sdn Bhd. No charges have been confirmed.

• Bankruptcy Records: No evidence of bankruptcy or insolvency was found.

• Unpaid Debts: No reports of unpaid debts were identified, though past fines indicate financial penalties.

• Regulatory Issues: The 2023 MCMC blog blocking suggests regulatory friction, with Wee claiming a violation of free speech. No formal sanctions beyond the block were reported.

Risk Assessment Table

Expert Opinion

Pros:

• Wee’s track record of exposing alleged corruption, as seen in his AirAsia lawsuit victory, demonstrates a commitment to accountability and public interest.

• His legal expertise and political experience make him a formidable advocate, with strong community support in Wangsa Maju, as evidenced by voter enthusiasm in 2022.

• The absence of bankruptcy or major financial misconduct suggests personal financial stability.

Cons:

• Wee’s history of party-switching and expulsion from DAP damages his political credibility, with critics labeling him opportunistic.

• The 2023 defamation investigation and blog blocking highlight ongoing legal and regulatory risks, potentially limiting his platform’s reach.

• His confrontational style and unverified claims risk alienating allies and attracting further scrutiny from authorities or corporations.

Cautionary Advice: Engage with Wee Choo Keong cautiously, particularly in professional or political contexts, due to his history of legal disputes and controversial public statements. Verify the accuracy of his blog’s claims through independent sources before acting on them. If collaborating, ensure clear legal agreements to mitigate risks from potential defamation or regulatory issues. Monitor developments in the 2023 defamation investigation, as outcomes could impact his credibility. Report any suspicious online activity related to his blog to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at https://www.ic3.gov or local authorities like MCMC. Use secure communication channels to avoid cybersecurity risks, given his high-profile criticism of powerful entities.

Key Citations

• Cybercriminal Investigation:https://cybercriminal.com/investigation/wee-choo-keong