Jagdeep denies being told to go on leave, says it's for medical treatment

Jagdeep denies being told to go on leave, says it's for medical treatment

Published: Jul 22, 2024 10:00 PM


Penang Deputy Chief Minister Jagdeep Singh Deo has denied claims that he was asked to take leave from his role in the state executive council.

The state DAP deputy chairperson told Harian Metro that he personally requested leave to seek medical treatment in Kuala Lumpur.

“I’m currently in Kuala Lumpur to get a second opinion on my ankle (injury). Even though it’s been two years, it seems the problem is getting worse.

“You can see that I walk unsteadily and sometimes have to be helped by my officials to go up to the stage during the event,” the Malay daily quoted him as saying.

Jagdeep, who is the Datuk Keramat assemblyperson, said he also wants to seek treatment for psoriasis, an autoimmune disease that affects the skin.

Meanwhile, one of his special officers said that Jagdeep also wishes to spend more time with his children who had recently returned from the United Kingdom.

“He was not ordered by the chief minister to take leave. We are the officers who advised him to take leave and to check if the screw in his leg can be removed.

“This is the real story,” the officer told Harian Metro.

Malaysiakini has contacted Jagdeep and other state executive council members for comment.


Advised to go on leave

A separate report from The Star stated that a state executive council member had been advised to go on leave as his personal problems had affected the performance of his duties.

Citing reliable sources, the report said the assemblyperson has not been in his office today.

“He has been given a temporary reprieve and was told to sort out his problem. Talk is rife that he might be replaced in the exco lineup but will remain as assemblyperson,” one source was quoted as saying.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow

Another source said that Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow is expected to raise the matter at the weekly exco meeting tomorrow (July 23).

They added that DAP has begun a house-cleaning process before the state election in September.

“As the state chairperson, Chow is expected to face stiff competition from members aligned to a senior party leader.

“He must put forward a strong team to fill the 15-member state committee lineup,” they said.