“I Have No Choice”: Veteran Politician P.Ramasamy Resigns From DAP

As Malaysia heads into local state polls, P.Ramasamy has stepped down from Democratic Action Party (DAP) to function in a larger political environment without the constraints of being a member of a political party or organization. 

The former Penang deputy chief minister said he had no choice but resign. Ramasamy wants to take a firm decision to chart his political course in the future. “I am 74 years old, if I’m dropped, I don’t mind but why drop young leaders like Yeoh Soon Hin, Soon Lip Chen and M.Satees.” He said they had served the party and the state government well. “This was not rejuvenation, nor a revitalization exercise but a political purge to sideline those who were seen or imagined as supporters of incumbent chief minister Chow.” 

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The veteran politician argued that he wasn’t against DAP or Pakatan Harapan, but was against certain leaders in the party who did not appreciate their service. He believes there are still good leaders in DAP. But the party is slipping into mediocrity and appeasement politics. Ramasamy, who joined DAP in 2005, said it is no longer around as dissenters are not tolerated, and treated as troublemakers or mischief makers. “A lot of compromises have been made diluting the struggle of the party. Holding on to power and positions seems to be the preoccupation of some party leaders.” 

Moreover, he accused DAP national leaders of endorsing the purge, and blamed an unnamed “maharaja” as the source of the crises in Penang DAP. Ramasamy plans to shift his support toward Independent candidates David Marshel, who is contesting for the Perai seat, and M.Satees, who is contesting for the Bagan Dalam seat.