Time to move on, but I’m not quitting yet, says Ronnie Liu
DAP central executive committee member Ronnie Liu says party secretary-general Loke Siew Fook will have to ‘wait a little longer’ for his official resignation.
PETALING JAYA: DAP central executive committee (CEC) member Ronnie Liu will not be resigning from the party yet, but he believes it is time for him to reinvent himself in serving the people.
Liu, who is Sungai Pelek assemblyman, said it would be irresponsible of him to abandon his supporters. He did not want his constituents to lose their elected representative.
“I am a responsible assemblyman and will not quit or abandon my supporters and constituents, especially during this period of inclement weather when there is great risk of floods.
“I’m afraid the party secretary-general has to wait a little longer for my official resignation letter,” he said.
Liu had spoken of his intention to resign three days ago, and told FMT he felt he had no choice but to do so after being a member for 40 years.
In a Facebook posting today, he said it was time to review his position and political future in DAP.
He paid tribute to DAP pioneers the late Dr Chen Man Hin and the late Karpal Singh for establishing a party that was principled.
Although DAP’s core values had stayed the same, there had been changes in certain party leaders after they tasted power with the Pakatan Harapan government of 22 months. Some leaders were now less tolerant of dissenting opinions, he said.
He accused them of not understanding the meaning of being democratic, despite democratic ideals being at the core of the party.
Liu said the party should withdraw or suspend a recent amendment to the party’s constitution which allows the expulsion of elected representatives who do not toe the party line on fundamental issues.
He gave the example of a five-member bench of the Federal Court, consisting of five judges, all of whom are trained lawyers. “In the event of a split verdict, does that mean the two dissenting judges should be sacked from the bench?” Liu said.
Liu said he felt it was his duty and responsibility to speak the truth without fear or favour as an elected CEC member as well as an elected representative. “It pains me to see the party going down a slippery slope right under my nose.”
Liu said PH and DAP must admit to making mistakes during its 22 months in power from May 2018 to February 2020, when defections caused the fall of the PH government. A display of humility and an apology to voters would give the coalition a second chance, he said.
He maintained that he would always remain a friend of DAP, as he had many comrades in the party, and would continue to fight for the poor and marginalised.
“It is time for me to move on to reinvent myself and continue to serve the people. Certain leaders are so smitten by the 3Ps of power, position and perks of office that they have forgotten the reason why DAP was formed,” he said.
Liu was also critical of DAP’s ambivalent association with Umno and former Umno leaders.
He said: “DAP has fought against Umno and was demonised by Umno, yet today certain leaders are prepared to sleep with the ‘devil’ for a few dollars more.
“If DAP could not control Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the prime minister (in the PH government) then can DAP provide a check and balance for Umno?”
PETALING JAYA: DAP central executive committee (CEC) member Ronnie Liu will not be resigning from the party yet, but he believes it is time for him to reinvent himself in serving the people.
Liu, who is Sungai Pelek assemblyman, said it would be irresponsible of him to abandon his supporters. He did not want his constituents to lose their elected representative.
“I am a responsible assemblyman and will not quit or abandon my supporters and constituents, especially during this period of inclement weather when there is great risk of floods.
“I’m afraid the party secretary-general has to wait a little longer for my official resignation letter,” he said.
Liu had spoken of his intention to resign three days ago, and told FMT he felt he had no choice but to do so after being a member for 40 years.
In a Facebook posting today, he said it was time to review his position and political future in DAP.
He paid tribute to DAP pioneers the late Dr Chen Man Hin and the late Karpal Singh for establishing a party that was principled.
Although DAP’s core values had stayed the same, there had been changes in certain party leaders after they tasted power with the Pakatan Harapan government of 22 months. Some leaders were now less tolerant of dissenting opinions, he said.
He accused them of not understanding the meaning of being democratic, despite democratic ideals being at the core of the party.
Liu said the party should withdraw or suspend a recent amendment to the party’s constitution which allows the expulsion of elected representatives who do not toe the party line on fundamental issues.
He gave the example of a five-member bench of the Federal Court, consisting of five judges, all of whom are trained lawyers. “In the event of a split verdict, does that mean the two dissenting judges should be sacked from the bench?” Liu said.
Liu said he felt it was his duty and responsibility to speak the truth without fear or favour as an elected CEC member as well as an elected representative. “It pains me to see the party going down a slippery slope right under my nose.”
Liu said PH and DAP must admit to making mistakes during its 22 months in power from May 2018 to February 2020, when defections caused the fall of the PH government. A display of humility and an apology to voters would give the coalition a second chance, he said.
He maintained that he would always remain a friend of DAP, as he had many comrades in the party, and would continue to fight for the poor and marginalised.
“It is time for me to move on to reinvent myself and continue to serve the people. Certain leaders are so smitten by the 3Ps of power, position and perks of office that they have forgotten the reason why DAP was formed,” he said.
Liu was also critical of DAP’s ambivalent association with Umno and former Umno leaders.
He said: “DAP has fought against Umno and was demonised by Umno, yet today certain leaders are prepared to sleep with the ‘devil’ for a few dollars more.
“If DAP could not control Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the prime minister (in the PH government) then can DAP provide a check and balance for Umno?”
"Liu, who is Sungai Pelek assemblyman, said it would be irresponsible of him to abandon his supporters. He did not want his constituents to lose their elected representative."
ReplyDeleteComment: Yup, that is the usual excuse we hear. Pity...I would certainly have more respect if he had just resigned.