GEORGE TOWN – A Penang DAP division leader has criticised party secretary-general Anthony Loke for allegedly attempting to interfere in the state party elections held today by suggesting that Penang DAP vice-chairman Steven Sim be made the state chairman, while outgoing secretary Lim Hui Ying be retained in her position.
R. Ganesan, the chairman of the DAP Happy Valley division in Air Itam, said the division was unhappy with Loke’s suggestion of the “Sim-Hui Ying” combination, arguing that, as the party’s top leader, Loke should have remained neutral. He claimed this issue was raised during a closed-door debate among party delegates.
“You (Loke) should not have been involved in our state liaison committee lineup (election), unless you suggested that (the delegates) choose the best 15 (candidates). Then, it is fair to the delegates.
“You cannot just simply say choose the best two. I mean, you are giving an idea (to the delegates) to choose Sim and Lim.
“That is totally wrong, and we cannot agree (with his actions),” said Ganesan in a press conference held after participating in the debate.
Last week, Loke reportedly suggested this combination in an exclusive interview with a Chinese daily, stating that having these two leaders at the helm of Penang DAP would strengthen the party.
Halal Certification Controversy: Party Leaders Should Have Stood with Teresa
Ganesan also criticised party leaders for “behaving like mice” by not openly showing solidarity with Seputeh MP and party vice-chairman Teresa Kok, who has been under attack from PAS and Umno leaders over the halal certification issue.
He remarked that the silence of party leaders was a far cry from the late party chairman Karpal Singh, whom he described as an “outspoken tiger”.
Ganesan said the party’s leaders and MPs should have issued a joint statement supporting Kok and confronted Umno Youth Chief Datuk Dr Muhammad Akmal Saleh, who referred to the DAP leader as a “nyonya tua” and suggested that a “non-halal” sticker be pasted on her forehead.
“Why didn’t they (DAP leaders) bring this issue (of Umno attacks against Kok) in the Cabinet?
“Why must they (Umno) blow this out of proportion when they are part of the unity government, and they should have shown some unity here?
“There is no unity shown and you call this a Madani government?” he said, adding that the party’s 40 MP should have raised this issue in the Parliament as well.
For the record, party chairman Lim Guan Eng reiterated the party’s solidarity with Kok following a press conference held with the Seputeh MP on 10 September, after she gave a statement at Bukit Aman police headquarters.
Kok is under investigation for her comments criticising a proposal by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, to mandate halal certification for all restaurants and food businesses, except those selling pork or alcoholic drinks.
Kok argued that mandatory halal certification would burden small businesses by increasing administrative costs and operational difficulties. She proposed that halal certification remain voluntary, based on market demands.
Putrajaya subsequently decided to keep halal certification voluntary, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
State Matters and Leadership Change in the PHEB
On state issues, Ganesan also raised the need for a leadership change in the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB), criticising the appointment of Jelutong MP RSN Rayer as chairman.
Ganesan argued that the position should have gone to the state’s deputy chief minister or an executive councillor, suggesting that Housing and Environment Executive Councillor Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo would be a more suitable choice as PHEB chairman.
He also lamented the party’s practice of barring reporters from covering the debate sessions, arguing that the press should be allowed to report on the issues raised by delegates.
“They are frightened by their own shadows now. Why should the DAP be so fearful? They have done well for the state. Plus, everyone is supporting the state government,” he added. – September 22, 2024