(The Star) - Newly-minted general election candidate Wong Tack is feeling the heat as a key member of his Himpunan Hijau movement insists he resigns as chairman if he intends to pursue a political career.

In making the call, Clement Chin, a steering committee member of the movement, said Wong had originally promised not to bring the group down the political path, but has now made a sudden U-turn.

“If he wants to enter politics, then by all means go ahead and we will support him but do not do it by dragging the whole group under a political party.

“We are an environmental NGO and he has to respect our original objectives,” Chin said when contacted.

On Tuesday, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng announced that Wong would be contesting the Bentong parliamentary seat under the party's ticket.

Chin warned that the group's foray into the political arena means treading in dangerous waters, saying that it must be made clear that Himpunan Hijau was not a political party and it should maintain the people's trust and confidence as a non-political NGO.

“We have to respect those supporters nationwide who wish to remain apolitical in their fight for environmental justice.

“The environmental issues will end up so politicised and muddled up that they lose their essence and truth with all the mud-slinging thrown at it,” he said.

“As such, Wong should step down as the chairperson of Himpunan Hijau and a new leader be elected.

“I hope that the new chairperson will keep the green issues from being overly politicised by the politicians,” Chin said.

A Facebook user, Chatur Ranga, who posted on the Himpunan Hijau 2.0 Facebook fanpage, said: “If he is truly a Green Warrior, he should stand as an Independent especially now that the PR/DAP are saying they may reconsider allowing Lynas to operate!

“They have already broken a promise in their manifesto! This is a betrayal of all the good people who fought against Lynas,” he said.