DAP reveals contract, may sue defectors

DAP is contemplating legal action against two state assemblypersons who quit the party to compel them to resign from their posts.

Perak DAP chief Ngeh Khoo Ham said the party would take this step if the two politicians did not pay the RM5 million compensation to the party as stipulated in a contract they had signed in 2008.

The decision to do so comes after the shock decision by Keshvinder Singh (Malim Nawar) to quit the party yesterday.

He is the second Perak DAP state assemblyperson to do so since Hee Yit Foong (Jelapang) in February last year.

Speaking at a press conference at the Parliament lobby today, Ngeh (right) said all party elected representatives in the state were required to sign similar contracts prior to the March 2008 general elections when they were chosen as candidates.

"The had agreed that if they leave the party and declare themselves independents, they have to pay RM5 million to the party," said Ngeh, who is Beruas MP.

"We did not want to impose this earlier as it would be seen as punishment, but we have come to an agreement that it is about time that we do something," he said.

Ngeh said that the final decision on whether to take legal action, however, lies with the party’s central executive committee (CEC).

The CEC is scheduled to meet next Monday.

'Money is not important'

The existence of such a agreement was not revealed earlier, said Ngeh, because the party did not want people to think that DAP was making money from its representatives.

"We would like to concentrate on abhorrence over betrayal of the people," he said.

"These people must not benefit from betraying the people and legal action will be taken against them over this contract. We assure the people that whatever sum we get from them will be dedicated for the people," he said.

The Beruas MP pointed out if the defectors were given millions of ringgit to ‘hop’, they should be able to settle the RM5 million amount to DAP easily.

Legal action will only be taken if both the defectors failed to pay up the amount demanded.

"In principle, I will talk to the top leadership and get consent from the central executive committee (including) Karpal (Singh), (Lim) Kit Siang and the secretary-general (Lim Guan Eng).

"We don't want be distracted by these side issues. Money is not important, but if people are gaining by betraying the people, the people should decide," he said.

No reason to quit

Asked whether Keshvinder had been unhappy with his leadership and of Taiping MP Nga Kor Ming’s, (below) he said:

"I watched the video and he (Keshvinder) said it had nothing to do with Nga and me. He must be honest to himself and (he should say) that it was his personal problems that caused him to jump."

Ngeh also brushed off Keshvinder's claim that there was ‘too much politicking’ within DAP adding this was no reason to quit.

"When he had problems and sought our help, (Titi Serong state assemblyperson) Idham Lim personally went with him to take the car. He didn't disclose how long he had been in this predicament.

"He also owes the party a few thousand ringgit," said Ngeh.

Aside from Perak, Negri Sembilan DAP had also compelled its representatives to sign a ‘loyalty agreement’ before the March 2008 general elections to discourage defections later on.

Ngeh explained that Perak DAP had such a contract in place since the 2004 general elections but the default payment sum was not stipulated in detail.