Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon said today he would refrain from commenting on MCA's indefinite suspension of its two errant state assembly representatives as the word indefinite was open to many interpretations.

"The word 'indefinite' can be interpreted in a number of ways. It can mean forever. It can also mean a period to be decided later and if so, who will decide? When? How?" he said.

The chief minister added he was unclear whether the duo Lim Boo Chang (Datuk Keramat) and Tan Cheng Liang (Jawi) were still considered to be Barisan Nasional state assembly members or independent representatives.

"Unless these questions are clearly answered, it would not be fair for me to comment. Perhaps the next step is that the matter should be again referred to BN for its opinion," he said at a press conference in his office.

A copy of his statement was later faxed to malaysiakini.

Breached BN discipline

The MCA presidential council this morning announced that the duo's party membership were suspended indefinitely. This was based on the party's disciplinary committee's recommendation.

Tan and Lim courted controversy when they abstained from voting against a DAP motion in the Penang state assembly on Nov 21 to defer the RM1.02 billion Penang Outer Ring Road Project (PORR) until after the completion of the RM400 million Jelutong Expressway.

This upset other BN component parties which called for action to be taken against the duo.

Koh said the suspension proved that MCA acknowledged the two breached BN discipline in a parliamentary democracy.

"What we have been emphasising is that discipline is important especially in the context of a coalition of parties, which owes it to the trust of the people in ruling this country...

"You contest under a certain symbol and your victory is not due to yourself entirely," said the chief minister, who is also Gerakan vice-president.

Saddened by decision

Meanwhile, the two suspended politicians said they were saddened by their party's decision.

"It's a very sad thing, I did not expect the consequences to be so grave," Lim told malaysiakini.

He urged his supporters to remain "cool and calm" and recounted how the late Mahatma Gandhi continued to serve his nation in the face of many adversities.

Asked whether he will appeal against the decision, Lim said he will consider the option after he receives an official letter from the party.

Contacted later, Tan said she was merely trying to help the people and shore up support for the ruling coalition.

"I feel sad the whole thing had turned out like this. You know my initial motive was to help the 30,000 people (opposing Porr) and gain their support for BN," she said.

"I hope the government will really look into the people's grouses and there is no political agenda behind it," she added.

Tan too said she will wait for an official letter from the party headquarters before deciding on the next course of action.

According to party constitution, those dissatisfied with the 21-member presidential council's decision can appeal within 14 days to the central committee.

The central committee's decision is final and cannot be challenged in court.

'Correct, genuine concerns'

Earlier, when met by reporters after the presidential council meeting, MCA Penang chairperson Wong Kam Hoong refused to comment on the suspensions.

However, he said the residents had expressed "correct and genuine concerns" over the billion-ringgit road project.

"It is a big project that involves the demolition of a lot of properties. Some of the affected areas are close to hillsides and the residents there are worried that the Highland Towers tragedy may repeat in their neighbourhood," he said.

"The two state assembly members have listened to the residents their fears, views, and worries. That's why I requested for a briefing by the state government but there is no briefing to date," he added.

On Saturday, Gerakan president Dr Lim Keng Yaik accused Wong of being a key 'agitator' against the project.

Lim claimed he can prove that Wong organised the people and called the first anti-Porr meeting in a private place.

Responding to this allegation, the MCA leader was quoted in today's dailies as saying that he should not be made a scapegoat for the Penang chief minister's "inept handling of the issue."

He also denied that he held a meeting with the anti-Porr committee.

Wong urged the veteran Gerakan president not to behave like a "loose cannon" and make accusations based on his imagination or sources.