Chow asks Ramasamy to reconsider decision before resigning

TASEK GELUGOR - Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow requested former Perai Assemblyman P Ramasamy to reconsider his decision to leave the party.

Chow confirmed he had received Ramasamy’s resignation on Thursday.

He said he had previously verbally asked Ramasamy to reconsider before making his decision.

“He (Ramasamy) previously said he would accept the decision of not being nominated for the upcoming state election.

“However, he stated he was not satisfied with the nomination process managed by those involved and it was only informed on the (candidate) nomination day.

“The matter caused him to decide to leave the party despite my attempts in persuading him.

“He had met me, but at the time it was only verbal and I have attempted to persuade him,” he said when met after the jelajah mesra at a temple here on Thursday.

Chow said Ramasamy’s actions would affect the total votes from the Indians towards DAP in the state even if by a little.

“There may be some effects. Ramasamy served for three terms (15 years) in Perai, he has supporters and followers.

“Whether his followers and supporters would make a protest vote or not was up to the individuals (voters) and their discretion,” he said.

Commenting on the claims that he would not hold the post of Chief Minister for five years, Chow said DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook had announced it previously.

“Loke announced that it (holding a chief minister post not for a full term) will not happen,” he said.

Regarding the claims of Ramasamy on the central DAP leadership to have chosen the Penang Exco line up, Chow said he would not answer on the issue as he was only the caretaker chief minister.

“I can’t comment on such as I’m not the chief minister, I’m only the caretaker chief minister,” he said.

Ramasamy who was the caretaker Deputy Chief Minister II announced his departure from DAP and resigned from all his posts in the party effective Thursday.

Ramasamy had given the resignation letter as DAP member and Chai Leng Park DAP division chairman to Loke at 8.24am while the resignation letter as Penang DAP deputy chairman was given to Chow.