Perak DAP rift widens, Leow calls for Nga to quit

The rift in Perak DAP appears to be deepening after two of its office bearers quit yesterday over a dispute with party's state chief Nga Kor Ming.

Nga has said the tiff with former deputy treasurer Leong Cheok Keng and assistant secretary Leow Thye Yih would be solved internally while taking the blame for the dispute.

"We thank everyone for their concern. This is an internal party matter. We will resolve it through internal channels.

"I alone will take the blame, as long as no harm comes to the party," he was quoted as saying by Sin Chew Daily.

However, a later statement by the Perak state committee said Leong and Leow had made baseless allegations that defied logic.

Leow, meanwhile, remained defiant and called on Nga to resign.

At a press conference yesterday, Leong and Leow claimed Nga did not consult the Perak DAP leadership before deciding that Perak Pakatan Harapan would make the final decision on Paul Yong's status as a state exco member.

Yong is currently on leave ahead of a rape trial. Faizal has taken over Yong's portfolio which deals with housing, local government, public transport, non-Muslim affairs and new village affairs. Leong is Yong's lawyer and also the Malim Nawar state assemblyperson.

In a statement today, Perak DAP's state committee defended Nga, and said Leong and Leow had made baseless accusations, and that resigning based on a media report was "unbecoming."

The committee cited a video in which Nga told reporters that there was no vacancy to replace Yong (photo) in the state government, as the latter is just on leave.

However, the same video showed Nga saying: "Harapan will discuss among itself based on current developments and will announce a decision at the right time". However, he could not say when that announcement would be made.

The Perak DAP committee said it was prepared to meet Leow and Leong anytime to resolve the "misunderstanding" and hoped they could both "return to the team and put the country, party and people’s interest as their priority."

Meanwhile, Leow in a statement responding to Nga taking the blame was unapologetic.

He said it was Nga's statements that were baseless, and the Perak DAP chief's actions did not reflect his claims that Yong was innocent.

He reiterated his view that Nga had said that Yong's position in the state government would be discussed by the state Harapan council and said this showed a hidden motive.

Leow then called Nga, and his close ally Perak DAP adviser Ngeh Koo Ham were "dictators" and that people were afraid to speak out against Nga for fear of being sacked or being put in cold storage.

"As such, myself, together with Leong, feel that it is time for us to speak up for the spirit of DAP, that is the courage to speak up.

"I think that if Nga says he will take full responsibility towards all the accusations involving Perak DAP, then I suggest he resign as Perak DAP chairperson," he said.

In a statement yesterday, Leow had also accused Nga of manipulating the second stage of Perak DAP's party election last year, by handpicking who should take what position.

According to DAP's party constitution, all elected committee members will partake in a secret ballot to determine who should take up leadership positions.

Leow, who is the Pokok Asam assemblyperson, said this meant the current Perak DAP committee was illegal.

Responding to this, the Perak DAP committee said the state party election last year complied with DAP's constitution and has been recognised by the Registrar of Societies.

"Furthermore, Leow and Leong have both held their respective positions as state assistant organising secretary and assistant treasurer for more than a year but only questioned the legitimacy of the party election results when they announced their resignation.

"For this, people who understand the truth will understand (the situation) at a glance," the committee said.