Liu vows to keep speaking the truth

Ronnie Liu (photo) has welcomed the DAP disciplinary committee's decision to accept his clarification for penning an article critical of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“I am glad the committee chose not to pursue the matter," the Sungai Pelek assemblyperson told Malaysiakini this evening. 

“It is important to speak the truth for the people. I will continue to speak for the people.” 

Earlier, committee chairperson Chong Chieng Jen said Liu provided a lengthy explanation to the show cause letter issued against him over the article titled “Mahathir: The paper tiger”.

“The committee has accepted his clarification,” said Chong, adding that the committee has advised all DAP members in future to refrain from open criticism against coalition partners and they should resort to internal channels to resolve differences.

Liu said as a backbencher, he would support and defend the government if the administration is in the right and against unreasonable attacks from the opposition.

“If the government is not doing something right, a backbencher can remind (the government) either through internal or external channels. This is real democracy,” he said.

The committee's decision comes in the wake of Dr Mahathir defending Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu over the menteri besar's claim that he was waging a lone battle against DAP.

In his article, Liu criticised Dr Mahathir's performance and suggested that if the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairperson attempted to break up Pakatan Harapan, the remaining parties - DAP, PKR, Amanah, Warisan and Upko - can still retain the government without Bersatu.

Umno leader: Bersatu, are you not embarrassed?

Meanwhile, Umno supreme council member Mohd Razlan Rafii likened the disciplinary committee's decision as a slap in the face for Bersatu.  

“There was no warning or reprimand against him (Liu). His (Liu's article) statement was akin to chasing away Bersatu (from Pakatan Harapan)," he said.

"Is Bersatu not embarrassed?” 

Razlan said he saw no reason to retain the current government where the prime minister can be berated in such a manner and the Bersatu Youth chief's warning was ignored.

He was responding to Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman who warned that attacks would be launched against DAP, including its leadership, if Liu did not apologise within a week.

Razlan also defended the Perak menteri besar, claiming that Ahmad Faizal spoke the truth about DAP bullying him with regard to defending the interests of the Malays and Islam in the state.

“What is Bersatu waiting for? Quit Harapan. Your friends don't need your services,” said Razlan.  - Mkini