'I am still DAP member' - Ramasamy
GEORGETOWN - Penang DAP Deputy Chairman P Ramasamy has denied resigning or leaving the party, refuting rumors that surfaced after he was not selected as a candidate for the upcoming state election in August. Ramasamy clarified that the news of his departure is false and spread by irresponsible individuals who sought to exploit the situation following his objection to the party's decision to exclude him from the list of candidates.
"It's all 'fake news', it's not true. I'm still in the Penang Caretaker Government as Deputy Chief Minister II, still the Deputy Chairman of Penang DAP and still a DAP member. I'm still loyal to DAP.
"I believe there are parties who are taking advantage of this by spreading fake news after I objected to the party's decision on the selection of candidates for PRN.
"I have absolutely no intention of leaving the party (DAP). All the rumors on social media are not true at all," he insisted when contacted today.
Previously, rumors circulated that Ramasamy would leave DAP, which he joined since 2005, because he was disappointed when he was not chosen to be a candidate in the PRN that will be held in August.
The rumors grew stronger when the 74-year-old questioned DAP's action in dropping him and several other State Excos from contesting.
Ramasamy has also agreed with former Bagan Dalam State Assembly Member M Satees' claims that there exists an 'emperor' who is using his power to make his own decisions.
Meanwhile, Ramasamy denied meeting with the Perikatan Nasional Chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"I'm in Penang and not going anywhere. I'm still working in the caretaker government and in fact still going to my service center office. I didn't meet anyone, whether its Muhyiddin or Dr Mahathir.
"All the allegations are baseless and even if there is any meeting, its probably by accident, not planned.
"So the rumors about me having a meeting with Tun or Muhyiddin, are not true at all," he said.
Commenting on his plans after this, Ramasamy said that he has no specific plans so far and just wants to focus on writing his memoirs.
"I'm still thinking about my future plans. I might play a role at the national level, but I'm still determining what level. It's still in the early planning stage.
"Regarding state polls, I will not go out to the field to help in the campaign but instead will focus on writing a book and carrying out some of my other plans. For sure, I will continue to be in the political field," he said.
Asked if he was disappointed with the party's decision to drop some veteran leaders, the former Perai assemblyman said he was not disappointed but was not agreeable to how the decision was made.
"I'm not disappointed but the way they did it, it's wrong. I accept the fact (not being nominated), but they gave rationale that did not relate.
"This is more of a 'political purge'. That's why I'm not satisfied, rather than being disappointed that I wasn't nominated. The party's argument was that they want to give opportunities to new faces to serve the people, yet why drop good young leaders like Yeoh Soon Hin, Soon Lip Chee and Satays?" he reiterated.
Previously, DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke Siew Fook announced that five Penang Government excos from DAP were dropped from the list of candidates to contest in the upcoming state polls.
They are Environment and Social Welfare Exco, Phee Boon Poh; Social Development and Non-Muslim Affairs Exco, Chong Eng; Youth and Sports Exco, Soon Lip Chee; Tourism and Creative Industries Exco, Yeoh Soon Hin and Ramasamy, who is also exco member.
