Gerakan, especially its Penang chapter, has been plagued with internal squabbling and personal attacks over seat allocations and candidates lists.

And now, the party’s deputy secretary-general Dr Thor Teong Gee has resigned from all his posts, claiming that state acting chairperson Oh Tong Keong tarnished his reputation.

Speaking at a press conference today, Thor said he has been blamed for the problems concerning the Jelutong division’s list of candidates.

Thor claimed that he conceded the contest for the Sungai Pinang seat to Oh, but that Oh has criticised him and undermined his political reputation.

"I am feeling sad, disappointed and hurt over those actions which were done in bad faith.

"I always believe that party matters should not be brought to the public (sphere) as they do not help resolve the problems and issues faced by the rakyat.

"However, the repeated (public) attacks against me have left me with no choice but to defend my integrity openly," he said.

Thor was responding to a report in China Press yesterday where Oh (photo) pointed out that the constituency coordinator for Sungai Pinang has yet to be finalised.

According to the Chinese daily, Oh stated three reasons why the party's Jelutong division rejected and refused Thor's nomination as the Sungai Pinang coordinator.

Oh cited "high rate of absenteeism for the division meetings" as one of the reasons.

"No walkabouts nor attending any activities in the said constituency after the May 5, 2013 general election," was another reason, according to the state acting chairperson.

"He did not even bother to attend the meeting meant to nominate constituency coordinators," Oh added in the report.

Thor clarified that on July 20, the central working committee met on the possibility of a snap election in Penang.

Oh and state secretary H'ng Chee Wey attended the meeting and H'ng confirmed he wanted to contest a different seat.

Oh who was not on the candidates list also expressed his intention to contest the Sungai Pinang seat which Thor contested in 2013 but lost to the DAP.

"Since he was acting chairperson and in the party’s interest, I said I don't mind sitting out for the election and will support and assist the candidate decided by our central committee, " Thor said.

"With my support, the central committee agreed that Oh should contest Sungai Pinang.

"I do not know why Oh still needs to drag my name and besmirch my reputation in the press.

"The current state and division leaders should focus on being the voice of the people (the opposition in Penang) on issues affecting public interest and quality of life and not attack fellow comrades to satisfy selfish political desires, " he said.

Other than Thor, former state Wanita chief Rowena Yam has also resigned from her post.