GEORGE TOWN: Penang DAP believes its former Jawi assemblyman Tan Beng Huat's decision to quit will not affect its members' trust in the party.
State DAP vice-chairman Zairil Khir Johari said Tan's decision to quit and join the People's Alternative Party (PAP) was due to dissatisfaction after he was not given any post in the party.
He said it was the right of the one-term assemblyman, along with 100 party members and supporters, to walk out of the party, and that DAP had never stopped anyone from doing so.
"Anyone who is dissatisfied with the party, has ample space to voice out their dissatisfactions. But there are also those who are dissatisfied after (they are) not given any position in the party.
"That is part and parcel of politics and I believe that it will not affect our members' trust in us. I am also confident that the people are able to judge our actions," he said in response to Tan's decision to join PAP yesterday, and was made the state PAP liaison committee chairman and central executive committee member.
Tan had singled out DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang and his son, Guan Eng, as his main reason for leaving.
He had claimed that the senior Lim was a dictator bent on building a political dynasty in DAP.
He had also claimed that there were talks within the party that Kit Siang aspired to lead the country. The latter however denied such claims.
Commenting on Tan's claims, Zairil said there was no truth throughout and it was mere slander.
"This is because all party leaders are elected. Irrespective of whether its Kit Siang or Guan Eng, both are democratically elected. There is no element of family dynasty whatsoever.
"In fact, Kit Siang had said before that he has no intention to lead the country," he added.
When contacted, state Gerakan vice-chairman Oh Tong Keong said DAP's change in ideology and their cooperation with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had caused its members to lose trust in the party.
"Prior to 2008, DAP members and the Chinese community particularly felt that the party was the only party to fight for their rights.
"Now, the ideology of DAP's struggle has changed and most evident is the cooperation between Kit Siang and Tun Dr Mahathir.
"This shows that DAP has strayed from its struggle when it formed cooperation with an individual it once labelled racist and corrupt.
"As such, it does not come as a surprise for its members to shun the party," he added.