DAP reps quit party posts

IPOH: Two DAP assemblymen upset with the state party chairman, after he failed to consult the committee members on the position of embattled executive council member Paul Yong Choo Kiong, have resigned from their party posts.

Malim Nawar assemblyman Leong Cheok Keng and Pokok Assam assemblyman Leow Thye Yih, who were the state deputy treasurer and assistant organising secretary respectively, announced their resignation during a press conference yesterday.

Leong said both of them were upset when state chairman Nga Kor Ming was quoted in the Chinese dailies stating that Yong’s position as an exco member would be discussed at the state Pakatan Harapan meeting and appropriate action would follow depending on the circumstances.

“He (Nga) should be discussing with the 20 party committee members first on matters pertaining to Yong, as all this while the committee is in solidarity with Yong. The committee does not comprise one person.

“Without speaking to the members of the committee, he made a statement in the media and from our understanding, we interpreted that Yong’s position as an exco member might be affected, ” Leong told the press at his law firm here yesterday.

Yong was charged last month with raping his former Indonesian maid.

He had claimed trial at a Sessions Court here.

Two days after the charge, Yong finally decided to go on leave from his official duties to solely focus on his trial to clear his name and establish his innocence.

Leong, who is also representing Yong, said matters must be discussed within the committee first.

“Even the Mentri Besar had said that there would not be any reshuffle in the exco leadership and that Yong’s case has not disrupted the exco duties.

“So, what is the point of us becoming the committee members when such matters are not discussed? We both made the decision to leave the committee, ” he said.

Leong said he and Leow are not quitting the party and are still DAP party members and assemblymen.

“We are loyal to the party’s central executive committee and to the Perak Mentri Besar, ” he added.

Leow claimed that the position of the working committee was determined by Nga, and not in accordance with the party’s constitution.

“This makes us feel that the committee is invalid, including the state party chairman’s position. This is no longer a Democratic Action Party, but under the leadership of Nga, it has turned into a ‘Dictator Action Party’, ” he added.

When asked if they had contacted Nga over their resignation and to clear the air over the issue, Leong said: “He (Nga) did not discuss with us, so I don’t see the need for us to do so.

“Any decision on Yong’s position must have the consensus or the majority decision by the committee, but in this case there was none.”

Nga in a WhatsApp reply said the claims were baseless as Yong is on leave as announced by the Mentri Besar.

“His exco position remains status quo, ” he said.