Councillor fiasco shows DAP lacks 'democratic spirit'

Recent developments surrounding the ‘rogue councillor’ fiasco demonstrate the lack of ‘democratic spirit’ within the DAP and its hypocrisy concerning the need for democracy, fair trial, freedom of speech, accountability and transparency, claims the MCA

In a statement, its publicity bureau deputy chairperson Loh Seng Kok ( left ) said this has been shown by the way DAP handled the scandal surrounding former DAP member Tee Boon Hock.

“Since the expose was made public on July 27, DAP has been trying to divert attention by putting the blame about the fiasco on the media and by comparing with it with BN. DAP has blamed the media for blowing the story out of its proportion. It blamed the media for giving too much emphasis on the story,” said Loh in a statement.

“DAP should bear in mind that it is the duty of the media, as the fourth estate in the balance of power to keep an eye on the government, be it the federal government or the state government, be it the government ruled by BN or Pakatan Rakyat,” he said.

“The opposition party should understand that when one is alleged to be involved with power abuse, there is a responsibility for them to face and deal with it,” he added.

Tee ( left ), a Klang municipal councillor, and the DAP have been under intense media spotlight since last week after a Star front page report alleged that he had misused Selangor exco Ronnie Liu's letterhead and seal to obtain contracts worth a total of RM1 million for 20 companies, including one belonging to a family member.

Tee has denied that the allegations, but was later asked to go on leave by Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim pending a state investigation into the matter. He was expelled by the DAP disciplinary committee last Saturday from his party of 26 years.

“MCA calls on DAP, which has been in power for only two and a half years to bite the bullet and accept its responsibility by admitting that it was because of its own in-fighting that had brought them to where they are now,” said Loh.

“If it were not because of whistleblowers from within its own party, such a scandal will never be made public and that it should stop blaming outsiders on its fiasco,” he said further.

No trial?

On the expulsion of Tee, Loh said: “The action taken by DAP's Disciplinary Board to sack Tee Boon Hock without trial has gone against DAP's principle to abolish the Internal Security Act.”

“DAP has no right at all to preach on abolishing the Internal Security Act” Loh added.

In the aftermath of the scandal, Liu ( right ) and Selangor assembly speaker Teng Chang Khim have also been asked to present themselves to DAP’s disciplinary committee.  

Tee had told the committee on Saturday that it was Liu  - whom Tee had served as special assistant from 2008 to November 2009 - who instructed him to sign the support letters, over which Tee has been accused of forging.

As for Teng, the Selangor speaker will have to give evidence on who he alleged in a Twitter post was the "real culprit" but whom the disciplinary committee had not brought to book.

Commenting on this, Loh said if DAP thought that by punishing “a runner” instead of the “real culprit” as referred to by Teng would satisfy the people, it was wrong because the disciplinary board's actions have “uncovered more skeletons in the closet.”

“Tee deserves a fair hearing from the disciplinary board as DAP has always claimed that everyone deserves a fair trial."

MCA views the action by the DAP disciplinary committee to summon Teng ( left ) while the ‘real culprit’ roams free was undemocratic and goes against the right to freedom of speech.

“DAP has made it to the record books in prosecuting its (own) member for utilising technology like Twitter, a ‘weapon’ well-used by the party to spread its propaganda.

“The public has the right to know the truth, and Teng has only done the right thing by voicing out an unjust decision made by the DAP disciplinary board to sack Tee,” said Loh.

If BN is not transparent as claimed by the opposition parties, DAP is no better.

Since no gag order has been issued by DAP on the matter, it is striking that DAP is hauling Teng to the disciplinary committee, said Loh.

“MCA urges DAP to be accountable (and) to explain to the people on the whereabouts of the RM1 million contracts secured by Tee. The Selangor state government should also focus on dealing with sand theft and scrutinise all state projects to prevent more abuse of power.

“The people should take the opportunity to take a good look at DAP and its hypocrisy.”