Penang PKR demands apology from Jeff Ooi

By DERRICK VINESH

derrickvinesh@thestar.com.my

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Penang PKR wants Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi Chuan Aun to make a public apology for labelling a few PKR leaders as “garbage remnants that often create problems in the party.”

Penang PKR deputy election director (management division) Johari Kassim said Ooi’s remark was disrespectful, especially to party adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

“His statement is over the limit and it does not show respect to the PKR, as a fellow component party of Pakatan Rakyat.

“This is not a new thing because many of Ooi’s statements (in the past) criticised PKR’s leadership and members, which I feel had intentionally caused a murkier situation in Pakatan,” he told a press conference at his office in Bandar Perda here Thursday.

On Feb 2, a Malay daily quoted Ooi as saying that Bayan Baru MP Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohd Hashim and Nibong Tebal MP Tan Tee Beng’s open criticisms levelled at Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng provided a golden opportunity for PKR to “cleanse garbage” from the party.

The daily further quoted Ooi as saying that PKR was famous for collecting “garbage” to become its members.

Johari said he would recommend PKR’s state and central leadership send a memorandum to the DAP demanding an open apology from Ooi.

“Even though there are differing views about the present state leadership, they are the views of individuals from the party,” he added.

Johari stressed that PKR could decide for itself the type of disciplinary action that it should take against its difficult members, noting that there was no need for other parties to get involved.

Ooi, when contacted later, said he was abroad and had no comments to make on the matter.