No turning back for DAP's Dr Boo

PETALING JAYA: Skudai assemblyman Dr Boo Cheng Hau (pic) is adamant on his resignation as the state Opposition leader despite a call from the Johor DAP committee for him to reconsider. 

"I thank him (Johor DAP chairman Liew Chin Tong) and the state committee for their generosity. 

"I have to decline the offer and give them all my blessings and assistance when I am asked to. I will still carry on my duty as Skudai assemblyman and central executive committee (CEC) member. My decison is final," he said in response to a text from The Star Online Tuesday.  

Dr Boo had strongly lashed out against internal politics in Johor DAP following his resignation, even describing the current party leadership as a “Soviet madhouse". 

Boo accused them of being incapable of tolerating dissenting voices and said he regretted opening Johor to the central committee to contest during GE13. 

"I have to admit that I am not good at covering up scandals within. Even though I paid a heavy price for not collaborating in covering up, I can no longer remain silent," he wrote on his Facebook page. 

Earlier in the day, the newly elected Johor DAP committee line urged Dr Boo to reconsider his resignation, saying that the outcome of the state party election process was based solely on the sentiments of the delegates who voted. 

"On behalf of the party, I thank him for his contributions to Johor DAP and I hope he would reconsider his decision to resign as state Opposition leader and accept the co-option to be a state DAP committee member," said Liew. 

On Monday, Dr Boo resigned as the Johor Opposition leader. He had served in the position since 2008. 

Dr Boo, who had been part of the DAP Johor committee line up for the past 20 years, cited betrayal as reason for stepping down. 

He also alleged that a smear campaign was carried out against him.