Ramasamy: I'm willing to leave DAP

Penang DAP deputy chief P Ramasamy said he was willing to leave the party over his 'godfather' remark, if asked to by the central executive committee, but insists that the remark was never meant to target his party boss.

Ramasamy (left), who is also Penang Deputy Chief Minister II, said he has not belittled any DAP leader as it was not his intention to criticise them with the controversial remark.

He said he was ready to sit down and talk to DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh, who had felt slighted and had demanded an apology and retraction from Ramasamy over the remark.

"If necessary, I can apologise. But I must be given face. I am not just an ordinary person, I have dignity.

"If to the extent I have to leave the party (over this issue), I will leave," he told the 1,000-odd delegates at the party's state convention in Penang today.

"I am not interested in power or positions. (I am saying this) as there are allegations and conspiracies (claiming) that I am," he added.

Ramasamy was responding to Karpal's opening speech thatcriticised him for disrespecting party elders and the national chairperson’s later announcement that disciplinary action was in the pipeline.

‘Others also at fault’

Meanwhile, during his wrap up speech at the convention, Ramasamy said he will leave the matter of his conflict with Karpal and two state reps, with the central executive committee (CEC).

He maintains that he is not angry with either Karpal or the two reps who had come to the veteran leader’s defence - RSN Rayer (Seri Delima) and A Thanasekharan (Bagan Dalam) - but quipped, “Please look at yourself first.”

He said he would still seek for opportunities to talk to the Bukit Gelugor MP, and claimed that the senior leader has not answered nor returned his calls ever since news of the row between the duo broke out in the press.

However, Ramasamy was not content to take the rap for the conflict himself, saying that many others were involved as well.

"The CEC is a collective decision and no one must be above it. But it should not be just me (who takes responsibility) as many are involved.

“If (the decision of the CEC is unjust, I will fight against it," he said.

He said that although the press has gone to town with the spat, he was not about to overreact or aggravate the situation, but will abide by the CEC’s eventual decision "honourably and respectfully".

However he cautioned that Indian supporters may not let the matter up easily as they have been hurt by Rayer's remark that Ramasamy had to beg for the DCM post for an Indian.

"Let’s put this behind us, let the internal mechanism resolve this issue, and let’s face the Umno and BN juggernauts (in the coming general election)," he said at the end of his speech.

Guan Eng calls for unity

During his wrap up speech, party secretary general Lim Guan Eng finally commented on the on-going crisis saying that he too hopes that the internal party mechanism can resolve the problem.

He said the party can resolve the issue and the rakyat will understand.

"Because this is not related to the state government. This is something that needs to be managed by the party.

"Let us support the efforts of the party to ensure that Penang will still be safe for Pakatan Rakyat (in the coming polls). To be safe, let's unite!" he said.

Lim also cautioned members to provide proof before complaining publicly about mismanagement of funds related to the state government.

He added that the state was serious in preserving the integrity of its officials, through measures like implementing strictly the open tender system.

He assured members that no one can "run away or hide" from their errors as the state and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, would take stern actions against defaulters.

"We will act; no cover up as this is not DAP's culture, (which is) to protect the integrity of the state. But please provide proof.

“But management issues can be disputed. We want Bersih leaders," he said.

'Learn and move on'

Penang DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow (below) said he found it most difficult to wrap up the session due to all the incidents that had taken place before and during the convention.

He added that the episodes have hurt everyone's feelings regardless of whose side the supporters were on.

"But we have heard the voices of the delegates to urge everyone to unite and go forward, or we cannot afford to face our enemies, which is Umno and BN," he said.

"Let this be a great lesson to learn from this episode.

“United we stand, divided we fall - is an easy enough lesson to learn but politicians everywhere, not only in DAP, find it difficult to understand this, that is why conflicts happen although it does not benefit the party," he added.