DAP welcomes Malacca reps' resignations

DAP acting chairperson Tan Kok Wai has welcomed the resignation of four of the party’s elected representatives in Malacca.

He said contrary to the quartet’s claim that DAP had strayed from its original goals, it was the four representatives who had changed.

“I welcome their resignation because they have changed and I consider them a cancer within the party. Since they are leaving on their own initiative, I welcome it,” he told reporters in Pudu today.

He was asked to respond to the resignations of Kota Melaka MP Sim Tong Him, Duyong assemblyperson Goh Leong San, Bachang assemblyperson Lim Jak Wong and Kesidang assemblyperson Chin Choong Seong earlier today.

The resignations came just as Sim and Goh’s one-year suspensions from the party came to an end last week.

Tan, who is also the DAP disciplinary committee chairperson, said that he personally believes that the party should not persuade the four to stay.

He said there are many talented members amongst Malacca DAP’s ranks who can take their place.

He said the four had spoken and acted in ways that are harmful to the party, including by slandering the party leadership.

He said the committee had to enforce party discipline in order to preserve its image and command respect of the masses, so it suspended Sim and Goh after conducting an investigation.

Their suspensions would have gone on for longer, he said, if it wasn’t for their long service with the party.

In a separate statement, DAP's Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong questioned the timing of the resignations.

While he thanked the four for their contributions to DAP, he said their claim that DAP had betrayed its ideals was a "lame excuse" to quit.

"It won't go very far with voters," he said.

"In time of national crisis, the next election will be drawn between those who support Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's global kleptocracy and those who oppose it.

"DAP's national mission is to save Malaysia from further decay, slides and collapses," he said.

As such, it is DAP's strategy to work with all with the same goal, including Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, led by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said working outside of Pakatan Harapan at this juncture would only benefit Najib and BN as it could split opposition votes.- Mkini