About 200 Indian supporters gathered outside the Pearl View Hotel in Butterworth today as early as 8am to show support for the embattled Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy who is currently embroiled in a ‘warlord-godfather’ spat with his DAP comrades.
State DAP leaders are at the hotel today for its annual state convention.
The group carried banners and shouted slogans to criticise Seri Delima and Batu Kawan assemblypersons RSN Rayer and A Thanasekharan for demanding that Ramasamy withdraw his godfather remark and apologise to party national chairperson Karpal Singh.
At 9am, the group, who claimed they are Nibong Tebal and Batu Kawan voters, members of NGOs, including those from Hindraf and Makkal Sakhti started shouting, "We want Ramasamy" and, "Rayer is a traitor to the Indian Race".
The two state reps were also criticised for the long-drawn battle of Kampung Buah Pala to preserve the land rights of villagers who had lived on the land for several generations.
They were accused of not going to the ground to help the villagers, whom they said were eventually aided by Ramasamy.
As Karpal arrived at the convention venue at about 9am this morning, the group shouted louder that they wanted Ramasamy, whom according to them is one of the best Indian leaders in Penang, and should be allowed to remain so.
‘Against party policy’
David Marshall, DAP Taman Alma branch chief, said they protested because what Rayer and Thanasekharan had done was against the party's policy.
He said the delegates will also express their views at the party's state convention today.
Marshall said the group was here to show their support for Ramasamy (right) because Rayer had lied about the DCM post for Indians.
"Nobody begged for the post for the Indian community. No Indian begged for it. Ramasamy did not beg. It was given to us. Rayer is a liar," he told reporters.
A Raju, who claims he is a current Hindraf member, said when the Kampung Buah Pala issue exploded, Rayer “ran away" from the crisis.
He added it was Ramasamy who tried to help and eventually achieved "something", that included double storey houses for the villagers who were evicted from the land.
"Ramasamy is the only Indian leader in the Penang state that is supportive.
“He is a good leader for the Indians. We in Hindraf and Makkal Sakhti support him. Who is Rayer? With the support of Hindraf and Makkal Sakhti he became assemblyperson.
"Please do something in your Adun (constituency). If he (Rayer) stands in the election again, we will not support him. We support Ramasamy and want Pakatan Rakyat to continue in Penang," he added.
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