Most Read
Most Commented
Read more like this
mk-logo
From Our Readers
MP did not decide to give up parliamentary seat

I wish to draw your attention to the article Perils and opportunity in the DAP beltway written by Terence Netto on 24 April 2012.

The writer wrote the following paragraph making reference to me:

The decision by Penang DAP Chief Chow Kon Yeow to give up the Tanjung Parliamentary seat to concentrate on just his State seat and Executive Council duties provides the opening for Lim to effect a maneuver that would be more beneficial to DAP's long term prospects.

I wish to say that the writer had never contacted me for any such comment and I have never made such decision.

I look forward to the writer or your goodself making the necessary correction.

Chow Kon Yeow

DAP Penang State Chairman

 


Reply by Terence Netto

YB Chow Kon Yeow is entitled to a sense of grievance with the wording of the offending paragraph. In retrospect, I should have rephrased the first part so that the whole would read thus:

The privately expressed reluctance of Penang DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow to re-contest the Tanjung parliamentary seat in order to concentrate on his state seat and Executive Council duties provides the opening for Lim to effect a maneuver that would be more beneficial to DAP's long term prospects.

I hold this rephrase would be an accurate rendition of what I have heard from sources and what is generally known about Chow's sporadic attendance at meetings of the 12th Parliament, in comparison with his constancy at its predecessor's sessions wherein he was unencumbered by State Executive Council duties.

True, Chow has not made a decision on the matter of re-contesting the Tanjung seat and I did not contact him for his comments.

However, my article was not a news story; it was commentary where a certain latitude - though not liberty with primary facts - is allowed.

In turning private musings into something more concrete ("The decision") I have overstepped the requisite liberty's bounds for which my sincere apologies to YB Chow.

Terence Netto

ADS