Leaked minutes see fallout in PKR
(NST) – A STORM is brewing in Parti Keadilan Rakyat, with Machang Bubuk assemblyman Datuk Tan Hock Leong demanding answers from the party leadership over leaked information that he would be dropped as a candidate in the next general election.
Tan, who is Penang deputy speaker, said he was shocked on learning that his name had been raised as the only Chinese PKR elected representative in Penang who would be replaced.
The matter was apparently discussed at an informal PKR meeting, which has sparked controversy after the minutes were leaked.
“I have come to understand that they plan to give my seat to a younger candidate, who will be parachuted in from Selangor.
“My so-called replacement is not even active in Penang,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Tan said he was sad to learn that state PKR chief Datuk Mansor Othman had allegedly said all other Chinese PKR elected representatives in Penang would be retained.
“They say I need to go because of my age. I was dumbfounded on learning about this ridiculous decision. But no one, including Mansor, has contacted me and I have yet to get any official confirmation from the central leadership.”
Tan dismissed fears that he could not deliver because of his age or health. “They better come up with a far more convincing reason.
“I am only 57 and there are others who are much older than me. If age is the factor, then the criterion should apply to all others, too.”
On his health, Tan said he suffered a mild stroke about a year ago but it had not affected his work.
“I still carry out my work. I attend and chair state sittings, and I have fulfilled all my responsibilities to the people in the last 10 months. The only thing I cannot do is run.”
The controversy has put Mansor and the state PKR in an embarrassing position. It was reported that the minutes of the meeting involving Mansor and other state PKR leaders had been posted on the “Gelagat Anwar” website.
The meeting, it appears, was centred around seat allocations and problems faced by Penang PKR.
During the meeting, Mansor, who is Penang Deputy Chief Minister 1, was quoted as saying that except for Tan, others would defend their seats. He then urged other party leaders to convince Tan to make way for a younger candidate.
“It is not that we don’t like him as he has done a good job. You, as a group, have to think… must prepare names and leave it to the central (leadership) to decide,” he was quoted as telling those present.
