DAP tells dissenting state leaders to end public spat

DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke has called on party state leaders to stop the media war of words and resolve their disputes through internal channels.

"The DAP central leadership views with concern the various statements issued by party leaders in Malacca and Johor over the past week that give the public a negative impression about the affairs of the party.

"The party headquarters received many calls from members of the public to express their displeasure over the public spats and open bickering among our own elected representatives," said Loke in a statement today.

While not naming any individual, one target is likely CEC member and Johor DAP chairperson Boo Cheng Hau's (right) criticism of the party's "takeover" of the Kedah state committee.

The other would be DAP's Duyong assemblyperson Goh Leong San who yesterday hit back at criticism of his publicly praising Malacca Chief Minister Idris Haron

Meanwhile last month, former Kedah DAP chairperson Lee Guan Aik had accused the party's central leadership of wanting to oust incumbent leaders in the state.

Loke said such leaders should "immediately cease all public spats and outpouring of grievances and allegations" and use internal party channels to lodge their complaints and resolve their disputes.

"All party leaders and elected representatives must be fully aware that we have been entrusted by Malaysians in the recent general election to continue to serve and carry on their aspirations for a just and better Malaysia.

"All of us have the responsibility to strengthen the party both internally as well as our public image," said the Seremban MP.

'Hearts breaking over spat'

Echoing Loke’s words, DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang (right) also urged all members in Malacca to “immediately stop going to the media” with their woes.

He said this after receiving a posting from a “life-long DAP supporter" from Malacca, which he described as “overly strong and emotional”.

“...There can be no mistake about the deep hurt felt by DAP members and supporters, including life-long ones, at the spate of adverse publicity to the DAP and the cause for national change and reform emanating from Malacca in the past week,” the Gelang Patah MP said.

In the posting he received, the party supporter describes how he feels betrayed by the Malacca party leadership, stating, “Can I still put my hope in the Rocket (DAP)?”

“While all of you are enjoying party infighting, have you ever stopped to think that there are millions of Rocket supporters who are crying, especially the tens of thousands of Malacca (DAP) supporters whose hearts are bleeding?

“Don't force us to have no choice but to vote for BN.”