By Jonathan Chia
[email protected]
KUCHING: DAP has sacked six of its members in Miri with immediate effect for insubordination and repeatedly tarnishing the party’s image.
Sacked are Wong Keng Tiong from Senadin Branch, Piasau Branch Women Affair secretary Lim Lan Hua, Miri Branch Women Affair secretary Ting Mee Hiong, Violet Lee Pak Hap, Lee Yun Li and Paul Wong Sie Yiing from Senadin Branch.
In a notice of expulsion dated March 11, 2013, that was signed by the party’s disciplinary committee chairman Tan Kok Wai, the disciplinary committee said it received a complaint letter from the state DAP committee dated March 5, 2013, about the continuous open protests against the party’s decision to nominate Lim Su Kien for Miri in the impending general election.
“Your threats against the party to continue with protests against Lim Su Kien and disclosing the letter of complaint against Lim Su Kien were clearly intended to hold the party at ransom and to force the party to make a decision in accordance with your personal desires. We view such threats as utmost vicious which cannot be tolerated and condoned in any event,” said Tan in the letter.
The disciplinary committee was also prompted to act as the six members’ call upon constituents not to vote for Lim; organising signature campaigns; pulling banners; and openly attacking Lim had damaged the party’s image.
The six can appeal against the expulsion to the party’s central executive committee within 14 days from the date of the letter.
State DAP secretary Chong Chieng Jen said yesterday that the letter had been sent to all six members.
Asked whether the sacking was ill-timed considering that the polls were near, Chong, who is also Bandar Kuching MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman said the party would have to face whatever repercussion that may arise from this decision.
“The decision taken by the disciplinary committee clearly shows that DAP is a party of principle and discipline. DAP’s image as a party with discipline and principle is what is appreciated by the public,” he said in a press conference to announce the expulsion of the six.
He advised party members in Miri to put aside their personal prejudices against Lim and to look at the bigger picture, adding that if the party could cooperate with PAS and PKR there was no reason why they could not put aside their personal prejudices and put the big picture as their priority.
Chong also brushed off a proposal by some party members in Miri for him to swap his seat with Lim, adding that the decision of candidacy was not for him to decide.