PETALING JAYA: Former MP Lee Chean Chung has hinted that he intends to remain in Petaling Jaya for the next general election but has not indicated if he would join Bersama, the party launched by former PKR leaders Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
"I want to stay in PJ," Lee said when asked if he would contest the same parliamentary seat in GE16.
Lee announced his resignation as an MP without conditions, effective Friday (Oct 2), during a press conference.
He said he would submit his resignation letter as a PKR member on Monday (Oct 5).
Pressed on whether this meant he would join Bersama, Lee said he had already made his decision but stopped short of revealing it.
"But I am sure all of you probably have a good idea of where I am going to go," he added.
He also said he was increasingly confused about the government’s direction and questioned whether being a unity government justified compromises, particularly after Datuk Seri Najib Razak was allowed conditional house arrest without a full explanation.
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He said PKR was the first political party he joined, leaving a corporate career to devote much of his youth to the political struggle as he believes that politics should be used to defend those treated unfairly.
He said that from 2008 to 2022, he endured political pressure, took to the streets over the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, was charged under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, and appeared in court repeatedly.
"I have never regretted it. I am grateful to PKR for the opportunities over the past 18 years and to my comrades who still believe in clean politics, institutional reform and a Malaysia that celebrates diversity.
ALSO READ: Petaling Jaya MP Lee quits PKR leadership council
"But because so many Malaysians once supported this struggle without asking for anything in return, I cannot continue to find excuses to defend things I myself can no longer defend," he said.
It was previously reported that PKR was set to suspend Lee for three years to prevent Bersama from automatically gaining an MP.
It was also reported that the decision to suspend him was made over growing unhappiness among grassroots members in the Petaling Jaya division following Lee’s involvement in Bersama’s events, despite being a PKR member.
