MALACCA: The mass resignation of DAP members here is clear evidence of a loss of faith and confidence by party members towards the DAP leadership.
State Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Idris Haron, who is also Malacca Chief Minister, said the resignation of the 182 members also proved that the recent resignation of four DAP lawmakers here had a huge impact on their party, although denied by its party leadership.
“Yesterday, we witnessed the mass resignation of 182 DAP members, who were also made up of senior members who had contested in previous general elections.
“I foresee their resignation as having a multiplier effect, as these senior members surely have followers who would follow suit,” said Idris.
On Feb 12, Kota Melaka MP Sim Tong Him, Bachang assemblyman Lim Jak Wong, Kesidang assemblyman Chin Choon Seong and Duyong assemblyman Goh Leong San had all announced their resignations, citing a loss of confidence in the party’s leadership under secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.
The quartet also stated that the party had strayed from its original struggle by collaborating with former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his new party, the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM).
Yesterday, the 182 members who resigned, led by former Malacca DAP state chairman Liou Chen Kuang, said their exit was due to disappointment with their former party and DAP’s deviation from its “Malaysian Malaysia” principle.
They also claimed that DAP was “selling out Chinese honour” to gain votes for power, alleged failure to weed out internal corruption as well as claimed interference of central leadership in state party matters.
Idris also invited the disgruntled members who resigned to speak on BN’s platform to avoid the locals making the same mistake in voting for DAP again.