Karpal-Ramasamy spat may only be tip of iceberg, says Lau

(The Star) – The open spat between DAP’s chairman Karpal Singh and deputy secretary-general Dr P. Ramasamy shows that the party is incapable of managing its own affairs, let alone govern Penang.

Penang MCA secretary Lau Chiek Tuan wonders why Chief Minister and party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng was unable to rein-in his fellow party members until the party’s state convention turned chaotic on Sunday.

“Even his gag order on the issue was defied during the convention,” he said.

Lau said he believed the issue was just the tip of the iceberg, noting that more problems might crop up, especially over the selection of DAP candidates for the next general election.

Penang MIC chairman Datuk P.K. Subbaiyah said it was a pity that the post of Deputy Chief Minister II, which is held by Dr Ramasamy, did not come with any important portfolio.

“Most of the essential portfolios such as land, local government, tourism and infrastructure are held by other DAP leaders. Ramasamy’s portfolio of overseeing education has a limited scope,” he said.

Subbaiyah claimed that many Indians were losing faith in the DAP due to infighting within the leaders, noting that some members in Prai had left DAP to join MIC instead.

“Disgruntled Indian DAP members, who see no future for them, are welcome to join MIC,” he said.

Penang Gerakan chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan claims that more trouble is brewing in DAP.

“Dr Ramasamy would not dare challenge Karpal. Someone is behind the scenes, plotting,” he said.

State People’s Progressive Party (PPP) chairman and state Barisan Nasional Information chief Datuk Dr Loga Bala Mohan also believes there is a hidden hand behind the squabble.

“Both Karpal and Ramasamy are not the type of people who would want to get into a squabble,” he said.