GEORGE TOWN – DAP’s national vice-chairman Chow Kon Yeow played coy when faced with questions on calls from within the party for newly minted chairman Lim Guan Eng to relinquish his post as the latter awaits the decision of his corruption trial.
Speaking to the press today, Chow said his party’s stance is to wait until the court has delivered the verdict on Lim before making any definitive decision.
“Until now, the position remains the same, and that is until there is a decision from the court on the trial, the party will not pursue the matter,” Chow said at a press conference after the closing ceremony of TechCamp Malaysia in Shangri-La Golden Sands, Penang.
Lim, who has served as DAP secretary-general for three terms, was appointed as national chairman during the party’s election last Sunday, with Anthony Loke Siew Fook succeeding him.
Just three days into his appointment, calls for Lim’s resignation have mounted with DAP, citing his ongoing court case on corruption-related charges.
The party’s former Johor chief, Dr Boo Cheng Hau, said that keeping Lim in office risks tarnishing the party’s image heading into the general election and sends a wrong signal on the party’s values.
For the record, Lim is facing graft charges over the controversial RM6.3 billion Penang undersea tunnel project, for allegedly soliciting gratification and receiving financial inducement during his tenure as the state’s chief minister.
Asked if DAP would set a good example in the political arena by making beleaguered party leaders to step down or go on garden leave, the Padang Kota assemblyman sidestepped the question.
Chow briefly reiterated that “the party leadership will consider if there is any change in circumstances”. – The Vibes, March 26, 2022
