Kampung Juru JKKK chief Chiam Tchek Owing was reportedly let go due to his vocal stance over a foreign workers’ village slated to come up in his area. It is learnt he is from PKR.
According to Chinese dailies today, Chiam was asked to leave by the state executive council on June 1, despite his tenure only ending at the end of the year.
Last May, residents in Juru had protested against the workers’ village, citing concerns over a huge foreign worker presence in their midst and the problems this would bring.
The 300-odd protesters were also reportedly worried about impending floods if construction took place at that particular site.
The affected residents had sent in a memorandum with 3,000 signatures to the chief minister, demanding that the state government shelve the project.
Penang Gerakan vice-chairman Oh Tong Keong said the sacking showed DAP’s contempt for its ally, PKR.
“It goes to prove what I have said before, that PKR in Penang has no actual power. They don’t dare to confront DAP.
“If PKR continues to be silent, it is not impossible that a few state and parliamentary seats currently held by PKR will be contested by DAP in the coming polls.
“In this sacking, a DAP MP had claimed the sacked JKKK chief was let go due to his refusal to join DAP,” Oh said at a press conference today.
Oh said from this declaration from the unnamed DAP MP, it could be surmised that Penang DAP had bullied PKR reps in an attempt to erode grassroots support for the party.
“I urge Penang PKR deputy chief Law Choo Kiang to step forward and resolve this problem and reclaim the party’s interests.
“Please do not be a ‘yes man’ to DAP. PKR must remember, to be seen as a party of no dignity is no different from being an ikan masin (dried fish).”
When contacted, Law, who is also state assembly speaker, told Gerakan to mind its own business and focus on issues such as 1MDB and “MO1”.
“Also go question the cooperation between Umno and PAS, rather than be a busybody and tell PKR how to manage its affairs.
“Pull out of BN. Only then do you qualify to preach to others.
“This is part of Gerakan’s political game to create infighting between PKR Chinese leaders and DAP, especially in Penang.”