[UPDATED] Lodge report if it’s not you: Wee provides proof ‘Deepak’ called him

KUALA LUMPUR – MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong has doubled down on his claims that a person by the name of “Deepak” had phoned him recently over the MP’s remark in the Dewan Rakyat on the importation of eggs from India. 

Wee, who is Ayer Hitam MP, today showed journalists at a press conference in Parliament screenshots of a caller ID proving that the caller was indeed “Deepak”. He also posted them to his Facebook account.

Wee said that using the TrueCaller app, he found that the caller went by the name “Deepak J Tekwani”. 

Wee further pointed out that the profile picture of the caller also resembled Deepak Jaikishan, the local businessman at the centre of the egg importation controversy.

However, the avatar was later changed after the MCA leader raised the matter in the lower House yesterday. 

“If Deepak Jaikishan feels that someone had impersonated him using the name ‘Deepak’ to call me on March 13 at 9.51am, he should make a police report to clear his name,” Wee said.

Yesterday, Wee when speaking in the Dewan Rakyat claimed Deepak had called him on March 12 in what appeared to be an attempt to “silence” him over his recent statements on the country's egg importation from India.

Recounting the purported phone conversation, Wee said he received the first call by someone claiming to be Deepak from J&E Advanced Tech Sdn Bhd at 9.51am on March 13 via WhatsApp, on the mobile number 019-9999989.

The call lasted 33 seconds before it dropped due to a weak signal. A second call was then made at 9.52am via mobile line, this time lasting seven minutes.

Immediately following the call, Wee said he had taken a screenshot of the dialler’s WhatsApp ID, which featured a picture of the businessman Deepak.

However, he said after his revelation in Parliament yesterday, he noticed that the avatar had been changed to one featuring Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk, prompting him to take another screenshot. 

Wee said if Deepak lodges a police report to clear his name, he is willing to cooperate and provide all available evidence. 

When asked what was discussed in the call, Wee said he will reveal this to the authorities if the matter is investigated. 

“I can memorise every single word that was spoken to me...let police investigate this matter with the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission and the related telecommunication company to find Deepak’s identity. 

“No form of intimidation will deter me from voicing matters of national interest.”

Wee said that the individual who called him also claimed to have purportedly discussed the issue with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and agreed that Wee should make a statement to resolve the matter out of court. 

PMO subsequently responded, warning that it would take legal action against anyone misusing its name or position. 

Later, Deepak issued his own statement denying ever contacting Wee to demand a retraction of the latter’s remarks on the importation of eggs. 

Deepak claimed he did not have Wee’s phone number, and said he would be consulting his lawyers to pursue legal action.

Previously, Wee questioned in Parliament the government’s decision to import eggs from India amid shortages in the country. 

Following this, J&E Advance Tech Sdn Bhd had sent Wee a letter of demand for him to retract his statement. 

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul, however, later said that MPs enjoy legal immunity for anything said in Parliament. – The Vibes, March 16, 2023