JOHOR BARU: Another former DAP leader has come forward to explain his reasons for leaving the party over two decades ago.
Former Maharani assemblyman Song Sing Kwee said that he left the party more than 20 years ago, as he was disappointed with the way the party was run and had failed to stick to its principles.
"I was very unhappy, so I left. I was critical of some of DAP's leaders and have always openly spoken my mind about certain matters.
"Before I left the party, several DAP leaders had meetings with me, urging me to retract some of my statements against the party and its leaders.
"I was told to correct my ways to suit the party," he said, adding that he left in 1997 after being in the party for about 15 years.
Song, a former DAP central executive committee (CEC) member and the party's former Johor chief, said the party had over the years lost invaluable leaders.
"There are those in the party who are afraid of good leaders, and this has caused them to miss out a lot," he said.
The 82-year-old said that he joined Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PSM) over 10 years ago and was also its former secretary-general.
Song’s revelation comes within days after former DAP MP Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye talked about why he left the party almost 30 years ago.
"I am very happy to know that he (Lee) has finally broken his silence and told his side of the story.
"He is a people's man with a good heart and has always remained humble.
"I could relate to some of the stories he has shared and I think the time is ripe for me to share why I also decided to leave the party over 20 years ago," he added.
On Thursday (June 16), Lee's biography - Lee Lam Thye: Recalling a Lifetime of Service - was launched by Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
In the book, he revealed the reasons he took the drastic step of quitting the party.
