DAP: Duyong rep still with party, not independent

Malacca DAP has clarified that Duyong assemblyperson Goh Leong San is still an elected representative of the party.

This followed reports earlier today that Goh, the former state opposition leader, has become an independent assemblyperson.

The new opposition leader Khoo Poay Tiong said Goh has not been sacked from the party, but was merely suspended for a year.

“Therefore, Goh Leong San is still a member and an assemblyperson of DAP, who is subject to all provisions of the party constitution as with any other DAP member.

“I hope this clears up all the unnecessary confusion and misunderstanding,” Khoo said in a statement today.

Earlier, Bernama quoted Malacca state assembly speaker Othman Muhamad saying that Goh is now an independent assemblyperson.

He said he had received a letter from DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng on the issue, and named Khoo the new opposition leader, and Bandar Hilir assemblyperson Tey Kok Kiew as the opposition chief whip.

However, Khoo said Lim's letter dated March 8 merely addressed his and Tey's appointments.

“I wish to stress that the letter does not mention Duyong assemblyperson Goh Leong San's position at all,” he said.

In addition, Khoo said he had made a proposal regarding the seating arrangements of DAP assemblypersons on March 15, in his capacity as the state DAP secretary and the newly minted opposition leader.

In the proposal submitted to the speaker, Goh would have been seated together with other DAP assemblypersons.

However, he said that according to the speaker, Goh himself had asked to be seated on an independent's seat, which would have been in between the seats of government and opposition assemblypersons.

Kota Melaka MP also in limbo

Separately at the Dewan Rakyat, another suspended DAP member, Kota Melaka MP Sim Tong Him, claimed that he is in a limbo over whether he still represents the party or is an independent.

“I have written to the speaker that my DAP membership had been suspended for a year and I will let the speaker determine my position.

“On the first day I entered the assembly for this session, my seating position is still the same. I discussed this openly with the speaker, and he said it depends on the party.

“It is only when the party says you are an independent, you become an independent,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

However, he said he has yet to receive any feedback from the party.

Sim and Goh were both suspended for one year starting Feb 6, for openly disparaging the party leadership.

According to disciplinary committee secretary Tai Xing Piao last month, the duo were embroiled in a legal dispute with party member Wong Fort Ping.

After losing the dispute however, Tai said the duo blamed the party leadership and claimed that the party was exacting revenge upon them.

They held a fundraising dinner to raise money for their legal fees, in which a former DAP member was invited to speak and condemn the party, he said. -Mkini