Former Penang PKR divisional leader Lim Boo Chang, who quit all posts in the party today, has accused the DAP of behaving “arrogantly and abusively” due to its having a huge majority of 19 seats in the state.

In the Penang state legislative assembly, Umno has 11 seats, while PKR has nine and PAS one.

NONE Boo Chang ( right ) said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who is also state Pakatan Rakyat chief, would “skilfully avoid” calling the coalition’s council meeting to make collective decisions on policy matters.

He said the state council had only met twice since the 2008 general election, because Guan Eng allegedly tried to avoid making policy decisions with other Pakatan leaders.

“He has been choosing the easy way out by using the power of the CM to dictate his will through the state executive committee,” Boo Chang told a press conference in Penang.

“One such glaring incident was the appointment of the two municipal council presidents in Penang after 2008, which did not obtain the agreement of others in Pakatan.”

Boo Chang made the comment after announcing his resignation from all PKR posts. He is also quiting as the party’s appointed municipal councillor in Penang.

He said he was quitting the PKR struggle from today as he has lost confidence in the party and would be rejoining Gerakan, in which he served for 15 years.

Boo Chang also criticised the Pakatan coalition for its poor cooperation and imbalance of power-sharing among the three partners - DAP, PAS and PKR.

He said at the national level, PKR has clearly failed to restrain the advances made by PAS in pushing for an ultimate theocratic state.

“They are at a crossroads. The three horses (DAP, PAS, PKR) are going in three different directions... how are they to lead the country?” he asked.

PKR unfazed by Boo Chang’s resignation

Meanwhile, PKR is unfazed by Boo Chang’s sudden resignation, saying it was an “expected move” which did not surprise party members.

lim guan eng koh tsu koon penang land scandal issue 220409 law choo kiang Instead, Penang PKR deputy chief Law Choo Kiang ( left ) congratulated Boo Chang on his latest move, saying he had the right to choose whichever party or platform he wanted to contribute to in politics.

Law, the Bukit Tambun assemblyperson, said that members had suspected Boo Chang’s intention when he started criticising and saying “negative things” about the party and the Pakatan administration.

“Since PKR cannot provide him a space to perform, he is free to choose other platforms,” Law told Malaysiakini when contacted.

“Actually, his leaving is a big relief to PKR. This is what we hear from the grassroots members,” he added.

Law said that he hoped Gerakan would allow Boo Chang to perform better by providing him a seat to contest in the coming 13th general election.

However, he would like to advise Boo Chang to be a “gentleman” and not bad-mouth the party, its leaders or members after he quits.

“He is a veteran politician, he should know what to say and what not to say. Don’t let the people have a bad image of him,” added the Penang state exco member.

On Boo Chang’s criticism about cooperation among the Pakatan coalition members, Law said it was common for someone quitting the party to bad-mouth his former leaders.