Tan : "I don't think Penang DAP is short of capable people. If possible, we should replace this arrogant chief minister,"

Controversial PKR Nibong Tebal parliamentarian Tan Tee Beng today apologised to Syed Husin Ali and retracted his remarks made against the PKR deputy president.

Tan issued the apology after emerging from a two-hour disciplinary committee meeting at the PKR headquarters in Kuala Lumpur at 5pm.

He however refused to do the same regarding his criticism of DAP secretary-general and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

The PKR disciplinary board convened this afternoon to hear Tan's explanation of his public criticism of two top Pakatan Rakyat leaders.

"I take back my statement about Syed Husin Ali and sincerely apologise," Tan said.

Tan explained the reason for his outburst was because he was “provoked”.

"But I realised now that it was all a misunderstanding," he claimed.

Tan was issued a show-cause letter last week, leading to the disciplinary action against him.

The MP had earlier been reprimanded after launching scathing verbal attack on PKR deputy president Syed Husin and Lim.

Tan, the Nibong Tebal MP, had sought to expedite the hearing and submitted a letter to the party yesterday saying he wants to clear his name.

No apology to Lim

As for his comments on Lim, Tan said he refused to offer an apology that he would leave it to the disciplinary committee to make a decision on the matter.

“I will leave the matter in relation to Lim Guan Eng to the party leadership,” he said.

Tan was accompanied by Kapar MP S Manikavasagam and Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gwo-Burne. Both parliamentarians have voiced their support for Tan.

Loh stressed that the tiff was no fault of any party as it was a misunderstanding.

“Everyone should take a step back and take all matters into consideration,” he urged.

Also present was Ampang MP and PKR Women's chief Zuraida Kamaruddin, who called for an end to speculations of defections by disgruntled party representatives.

“Tan had already come forward to air his grievances in the right platform,” she said.

Tan had on Feb 3 called Syed Husin to quit at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

The MP had maded the call claiming he was appalled to read Syed Husin's remarks in Malaysiakini the day before saying that Tan "can go anytime".

"The one who should leave is him, not me," Tan had shot back.

Meanwhile, Tan described Lim as “arrogant”.

"I don't think Penang DAP is short of capable people. If possible, we should replace this arrogant chief minister," he had said.