Gerakan Youth head to face action

New Straits Times

Gerakan has referred its National Youth vice-chairman, S. Paranjothy, to the disciplinary board for allegedly making racially-sensitive remarks against Umno.

Its acting president, Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, said yesterday that the board would investigate the matter and refer its decision to the central working committee (CWC) for action.

If found guilty, Paranjothy could face suspension or even expulsion from the party.

"Paranjothy has violated the party's ethics and the Barisan Nasional spirit with his statement.

"It is wrong for him to attack any BN component party in such a harsh and open manner and with words which may hurt the feelings of others.

"Therefore, we have decided to initiate action against him," Koh, who is also Penang chief minister, said at a press conference in the state Gerakan headquarters here.

He said it was the party's decision to act against Paranjothy based on what the latter had said.

"What we did has nothing to do with any pressure from other groups," he said in reference to a statement by Umno Youth chairman Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who called for Gerakan to explain its stand on Paranjothy's remarks.

Paranjothy, who is a member of the Gerakan Subang division, issued a press statement on Dec 21 claiming that he was not happy with Umno and the way Indians in the country were being treated.