DAP gives Malim Nawar rep three days to explain alleged MCA defection

 

DAP has sought an explanation from its Malim Nawar assemblyperson Leong Cheok Keng following news reports about his alleged entry into rival political party MCA.

Chinese-language daily Nanyang Siang Pau reported yesterday that Leong had applied to join MCA while DAP's Pokok Assam representative Leow Thye Yih was on the cusp of quitting the party.

Leong has yet to publicly comment on the speculation while Leow has denied it.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, DAP disciplinary committee chairperson Chong Chien Jen said Leong had three days to explain himself to the party.

Failing which, disciplinary action will be taken.

“We will ask him to explain whether the Nanyang report is true; we can’t just make decisions based on a media report,” he said.

Leong has yet to respond to Malaysiakini’s repeated requests for comment.

MCA acting president Mah Hang Soon, meanwhile, neither confirmed nor denied the news.

He merely told Malaysiakini that the party welcomed anyone who had similar ideas and goals as the party.

Show-cause letter

In a separate statement today, Chong said DAP has since issued Leong a show-cause letter.

The DAP constitution stipulates that members lose their membership if they become members of another political party.

“Any act of applying for membership to another party is deemed treacherous to the party,” he added.

In GE14, Leong defended the 22,918-voter Perak state seat with a resounding 6,082 majority despite a three-cornered fight against MCA and PSM. He is a two-term assemblyperson.

Over the past two years, Leong has been at odds with the Perak DAP chairperson Nga Kor Ming.

When Tronoh assemblyperson Paul Yong was accused and later charged with raping his domestic worker, he lambasted Nga for his position on the case.

The Perak DAP deputy treasurer quit the party in September 2019, only to backtrack on his decision two months later.

Leong again criticised Nga when DAP momentarily considered working with Umno to form the new Perak state government last December. - Mkini