KOTA KINABALU: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Datuk Teo Chee Kang, who is officially recognized as the legitimate party leader by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) Malaysia, urged former president Datuk Liew Vui Keong to respect and accept the ruling of ROS.
“Our present priority is to close ranks with leaders and members of the party,” Teo, who is also Special Tasks Minister, said yesterday.
Teo thanked ROS Malaysia for ruling the party congress and elections held on October 19 and 20 last year, as well as the new leadership line-up as legitimate.
He believed that the party crisis has come to an end following the ruling by ROS Malaysia.
He also thanked the Prime Minister cum Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for his blessing, as well as Sabah Chief Minister cum State BN chairman Datuk Seri Musa Aman for his support and blessing since the onset of LDP leadership dispute in August last year.
“Datuk Seri Musa Aman has given us sufficient time to resolve this crisis.”
Teo further thanked LDP former president Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat for adopting an independent and neutral stance during the party crisis.
“Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat is the founder and the person who drafted the party’s constitution.
“The party crisis was caused by different interpretations of the Party Constitution, and Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat played an active role in resolving the crisis.”
Teo also expressed his gratitude towards LDP leaders and members in Sabah for fighting alongside him and giving him 100 per cent support during the past few months.
He reiterated that the main task of LDP now was to close ranks with leaders and members to enable all to serve the party as a united team.
“There were no Teo and Liew’s factions during the party crisis. All of us serve under LDP; no one has departed from the party.”
On another note, Teo pointed out that many times differing opinions occur in politics and it was understandable.
“The party crisis is nothing personal,” he stressed.