Pro-Huan Gerakan leaders threaten boycott

(The Star) – Several Gerakan division leaders, who attended a big gathering in support of suspended vice-president Huan Cheng Guan, will boycott all party activities if his three-year suspension is not revoked.

The leaders, who spoke at the gathering attended by about 2,000 supporters of Huan at a multi-purpose hall in Machang Bubok here on Thursday night, said they would stay away from all party activities during the three-year period.

Among those who spoke was Kepala Batas division chairman Jeffrey Beh, who said the gathering was held to send a strong message to the Central Working Committee (CWC) that they were solidly behind Huan.

Others present were Gerakan Bukit Mertajam division chairman Datuk Tan Kim Seah, Permatang Pauh division chairman Tan Tee Pin and Tasek Gelugor division chairman Datuk Ooi Bee Huat.

More than 1,000 people also signed a signature campaign to ask the CWC to revoke the suspension immediately.

Batu Kawan division Youth vice-chairman Ung Teow Hong called upon the CWC to shorten the suspension period.

Also present were Gerakan national deputy Youth chairman On Tong Keong, who is also the state Youth chief and Tasek Glugor division chairman Datuk Ooi Bee Huat.

Speaking to reporters later, Huan said he would send a letter to party president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and all CWC members to clarify the circumstances that led to his suspension.

“Gerakan has always said it advocates transparency and democracy but the leadership do not practise what they preach as they did not give me the opportunity to tell my side of the story.

“When other leaders speak up to tell the truth in the party, nothing happens to them but when I open my mouth, they suspend me.”