RoS case targeted to ‘destroy’ DAP before GE14, says Liew
Kluang MP says a remark by PM’s press secretary on whether the DAP can use its rocket logo in the general election indicates a “game plan” to ban DAP.
(FMT) – The DAP has accused Prime Minister Najib Razak’s press secretary of misusing his position in government to intimidate the party by suggesting that its registration was at risk prior to the upcoming 14th general election (GE14).
Its Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong claimed that Tengku Sariffuddin Tengku Ahmad’s assertion that there was uncertainty about whether DAP’s rocket logo could be used in the election showed the Registrar of Society’s (RoS) case against the party was aimed at destroying it in “the most vicious and undemocratic manner.”
“Inadvertently, Tengku Sariffuddin’s statement has also confirmed the thinking of Najib’s inner circle that the embattled prime minister’s game plan is indeed to ban DAP just before the next general election,” he said in a statement today.
“The government had tried it once before in 2013 but it didn’t work out as planned,” the DAP political education director added.
Liew was referring to a letter by the RoS to the DAP on April 17, 2013, three weeks before the 13th general election (GE13) on May 5, that the party’s new central executive committee (CEC) was not recognised due to a dispute surrounding party elections.
The RoS however issued another letter on April 19 informing that the party would be allowed to use its rocket symbol in the election.
In a statement last night, Tengku Sariffuddin said Liew should focus on fixing DAP’s “democratic deficit” rather than hitting out at the government through fake news and lies.
He said Liew should be more concerned about the predicament DAP was facing, saying that its members did not know whether the rocket logo could be used in the upcoming 14th general election (GE14) since its current CEC was not recognised by the RoS.
“This is because DAP’s party elections are alleged to be gerrymandered and an undemocratic fix-up by Penang Official 1 (Lim Guan Eng) and his father (Lim Kit Siang) to perpetuate the family’s half-century long dictatorship over the DAP,” Tengku Sariffudin said.
“This means DAP’s secretary-general, Penang Official 1, is in no position to authorise anything in the party as he is not legally recognised.
“In fact, DAP’s entire leadership is under threat and could be declared illegal for their alleged election manipulation,” he added.
He also suggested that Liew and his party colleagues tell Guan Eng, who is facing corruption charges, to resign as chief minister, and his father Kit Siang who is the party’s parliamentary leader to retire after “half a century of failed dictatorship.”
Tengku Sariffudin also said DAP vice-chairman Tan Seng Giaw should be urged to take over the party’s leadership as he was more concerned for the people’s welfare than for his personal power.
Liew accused Tengku Sariffuddin of threatening the DAP with possible revocation by the RoS if Guan Eng was not removed, Kit Siang not retired and Tan not installed as a new leader.
“Did he also realise that he was misusing his position as press secretary to the prime minister to intimidate a legitimate political party?” Liew said.
