Panel chief hits back

Karpal raised objection because he is not happy with decision, says Tan

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP disciplinary committee chairman Tan Kok Wai has slammed party national chairman Karpal Singh for his outburst against the decision not to take action against deputy secretary-general Dr P. Ramasamy.

Tan said: “Karpal did not object to the panel when he took up the complaint (against Dr Ramasamy). It is nowobvious that he raised his objection because he is not happy with our decision.”

Supporters of Dr Ramasamy had staged a demonstration at the Penang DAP convention last December, leading to 33 members lodging a complaint.

The committee, of which Dr Ramasamy is a member, cleared the Penang Deputy Chief Minister II of all charges against him.

An angry Karpal told a press conference on Sunday that the proceeding was void from the beginning because the committee members were judging one of their own instead of allowing others to investigate the complaint.

Tan, himself irate, said yesterday that Karpal, as a veteran lawyer, should know better that there were procedures to follow for judges to recuse themselves.

“I am saddened that his comment has dented the image of the party.”

Tan said he would not be calling the Bukit Gelugor MP to face the committee.

He also said the question of conflict of interest among the committee members should not arise. “There must be mutual trust among comrades,” he added.

Tan said that Ramasamy had recused himself and appeared before the committee only when it was his turn to testify.