DAP branch leader quits over Talam affair
DISILLUSIONED: Leaders issued conflicting statements, says former Sungai Pelek chief
(NST) – THE Talamgate affair has taken its toll on Selangor DAP. Yesterday, the party’s Sungai Pelek branch chairman, Tan Tuan Tat tendered his resignation from the party, citing his unhappiness over a series of allegations against the Parti Keadilan Rakyat-led state government that it used some RM1 billion in public funds to bail out the troubled Talam Corporation.
Tan, who had been with the party for about 18 years, said he was outraged by the conflicting statements made by DAP leaders on the debt-restructuring exercise.
“Why are DAP leaders making blunders trying to defend the indefensible and making contradictory statements?” he asked.
Tan said DAP leaders appeared to have poor knowledge on such matters but were trying to be heroes in the eyes of the public.
“Why must DAP leaders come out to defend the state government and PKR leaders? Why can’t PKR leaders defend themselves?
“Is there something going on between PKR and DAP that is unknown to the public?” he asked.
“They tried to hide the true story of Talam from the public but failed to satisfy the principles of Competency, Accountability and Transparency,” he added.
Tan said the state government should disclose to the public how the valuation was carried out, the name of the valuers, as well as publish the internal valuation reports.
“Was the state government aware that the acquisition of Bestari Jaya, Danau Putra, five empty lots in Menara Pandan, 161.90ha at Ulu Yam and 80.6ha at Ulu Yam Country club were overpaid for?” he asked.
Tan said he had lost faith in DAP which he alleged was practicing “selective discrimination, cronyism, unfairness, injustice”, as well as finding faults with its members. Such acts, he added, were very demoralising to members.
The DAP grassroots leader added that he the party’s disciplinary committee had initiated an inquiry on him based on frivolous complaints.
“As much as I loved the party and its glorious history, the way it is run today has destroyed its spirit and essence.”
Tan added that the party was a shadow of its former self and its claim of capturing in Putrajaya in the next general election was doubtful.
