DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) today denied a claim by one of its ex-leaders that the leadership in the parent party does not tolerate dissenting views, especially from juniors.

Dapsy chief Nga Kor Ming stressed that the party provided ample avenue for its members to air their grouses.

"The statement that the party has no room for young leaders is inaccurate. We have plenty of room for all to share their views," he said when contacted.

He was reacting to the comments made by Jadryn Loo, who resigned from all her posts last Thursday.

She told malaysiakini yesterday that the party had imposed many restrictions on her and warned that more younger leaders would quit if the situation remained unchanged.

Loo was seen as the 'rising star' in the party and tipped to contest in the next general election. The 22-year-old law graduate, who joined DAP only this year, was formerly the political secretary to the New Zealand prime minister.

Differing opinions

Meanwhile, Nga said it was normal to have differing opinions in the decision making process but members should respect the final decision.

"Even husband and wife will quarrel... Hence, everyone should abide by the final decision," he said, citing the recent mass resignation of DAP Terengganu leaders as an example.

The leaders quit the party after they were instructed to relinquish all their official posts in the PAS- controlled state.

However, Nga said the steadfast manner in which the top leaders handled the resignations showed that DAP was consistent in opposing PAS' aim to form an Islamic state and this was worthy of praise.

Meteoric rise

Commenting further on Loo's resignation, the Dapsy chief said she was given ample opportunities to perform and was appointed as a committee member in the wing soon after she joined the party.

"I can say this 22-year-old girl's rise in the party in such a short period is a miracle. If she claims she has been sidelined or marginalised, then she wouldn't be holding so many posts or be named as a candidate for the next general election," he added.

Prior to her resignation, Loo held six national, state and divisional posts in the party.

In a related matter, Penang DAP unanimously accepted her resignation at a meeting last night. Loo was a committee member in the state chapter.

Contacted today, state party chief Chow Kon Yeow said the committee regretted that it was unable to persuade Loo to reconsider her decision.

However, he refused to respond to the allegations she had raised.

Loo was perceived as Chow's 'golden girl' and she said that this could have stoked jealously among her colleagues.

She also denied rumours of crossing over to MCA or Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

DAP has suffered a string of high-profile resignations this year, beginning with two Selangor state committee members in August due to a factional dispute.

Last month, DAP Melaka chief whip Sim Tong Him threw in the towel after a bout with the party central executive committee and Durian Daun state assembly representative Betty Chew.