KAMPAR: DAP suffers another blow ahead of the 14th general election (GE14) when 38 of its members from both Kampar and Tapah divisions quit the party over its ties with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Citing loss of confidence in the party’s leadership, the group led by now former Tapah DAP liaison committee chairman Richard Leong Soon Fatt said the socialist party had deviated from its original struggles.
The group later joined Kampar Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM) branch which was set up today.
“We see Dr Mahathir as our enemy (for the opposition). He had sent many opposition leaders behind bars, including (DAP secretary-general) Lim Guan Eng and (PKR de facto leader) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“However today, Dr Mahathir who had sought for apology, was easily forgiven by the opposition leaders. (In exchange) for power, they forgive him. But we cannot accept this. We stand by our principles,” said Leong when met during the opening of PCM’s service centre here.
Leong said he had dedicated “10 years of his life” to DAP.
“But after a fair and serious consideration, it is regrettable that I must leave the party. I have lost confidence in DAP’s leadership.
“We cannot accept the party leadership’s approach.”
Last year, Kota Melaka MP Sim Tong Him, Bachang assemblyman Lim Jak Wong, Kesidang assemblyman Chin Choon Seong and Duyong assemblyman Goh Leong San resigned from the party citing a loss of confidence in Lim.
The resignations were followed by an exodus of 182 members from Malacca DAP a month later.