All quiet on DAP front

Party leaders opt not to comment on Karpal’s outburst

GEORGE TOWN: All seems to be quiet on the DAP front as its members in Penang have their lips zipped after a call by party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng to discuss matters internally.

DAP national chairman Karpal Singh has been keeping mum, although he was vocal the past few days and publicly questioned the decision of the DAP disciplinary committee to clear deputy secretary-general Dr P. Ramasamy of charges of orchestrating a demonstration against the party veteran.

Calls to his phone went unanswered and a visit to his house yesterday evening showed that no one was home.

Karpal’s ally, Seri Delima assemblyman R.S.N. Rayer, who is also Penang DAP Socialist Youth vice-chairman, when asked to comment on the issue, said he would return a call but until press time, there was no such call.

Senior people of neutral standing should be engaged to help resolve the conflict. — ZULKIFLI MOHD NOOR

Dr Ramasamy, also the Deputy Chief Minister, declined to comment when contacted, saying that he was in Ipoh.

Penang state executive councillor Lim Hock Seng, who sits on the party’s disciplinary committee, said he was not in any position to comment, adding that it was best to contact committee chairman Tan Kok Wai instead.

Calls to state DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow’s phone went direct to voicemail.

In Petaling Jaya, former party vice chairman Zulkifli Mohd Noor suggested that DAP veterans be roped in to resolve the bitter quarrel between Karpal and Dr Ramasamy.

“Senior people of neutral standing should be engaged to help resolve the conflict amicably, as we need to prepare the ground for a greater battle ahead against Barisan Nasional.

“If all quarters stick to the party constitution, such as who is eligible to be in the disciplinary panel, and when a person is considered ineligible, the problem would have been resolved by now,’’ he said.

Separately, Bagan division assistant secretary G. Asoghan said there was no avenue in DAP for leaders to raise issues within internal channels.

“During the Penang DAP state convention last December, several Indian leaders wanted to speak on the spat between Karpal and Dr Ramasamy but we were shut out,” he said.