Khoo Poay Tiong, Low Chee Leong decline offer to be in Melaka DAP committee line-up

MELAKA: Former Melaka DAP secretary Khoo Poay Tiong and ex-treasurer Low Chee Leong have declined the offer by state party chairman Datuk Tey Kok Kiew to retain them in the new committee line-up.

Tey, who won in the state DAP polls, offered the vice-president and treasurer positions to Khoo and Low respectively soon after announcing his fresh committee line-up on Sunday (Oct 28) night.

Khoo and Low said they respected the decision of the party's grassroots and will not take the offer.

Khoo, when met outside the party's headquarters at Lorong Pandan here just after the results were announced, wished the best to the new line-up.

He said the new committee should serve the members and the voters efficiently.

"I will continue striving for the party's progress and carrying out my responsibility to ensure the DAP continues to be strong," he said.

Khoo, who is the MP for Kota Melaka, is also a senior party member, equivalent to Tey in terms of service.

Khoo had challenged Tey, the incumbent state chairman, in a tight race.

Low, who is Kota Laksamana assemblyman, on the other hand, said he is sticking to his principles and had rejected the offer to continue to be the state party treasurer.

"It's more imperative for me to serve my constituents without expecting gratification like honorary titles or projects.

"I am grateful that the party has given me the opportunity to contest in GE14 and being appointed as an executive councillor," he said.

Low is the state Health and Anti-Drugs committee chairman.

According to Low, he honoured the DAP members' mandate and will continue serving the party without holding any positions.

"Let me achieve the projected benchmark set by my national party leaders to serve the electorates and the people without hoping anything in return.

"I would leave it to the party leadership to decide whether I have performed well or not," said Low.

Low has served the state DAP since 1990s, mostly behind the scenes, and only emerged into the limelight when he was announced as candidate for Kota Laksamana, two weeks before the May 9 election.

On Sunday (Oct 28), Tey's team won the polls hands down, while Khoo's group - including Low, Melaka's youngest exco member Kerk Chee Yee and state legislative speaker Datuk Dr Wong Fort Pin and Kesidang assemblyman Allex Seah - lost.

Tey was caught in a controversy after accepting a Datuk title on Oct 13, together with Dr Wong.

Tey was issued a warning by national leaders and even insinuated as a stubborn state leader after he refused to apologise for accepting the title.

Dr Wong had openly issued an apology to his party leadership a few days after he was conferred the title.