A rising star in DAP has called it quits and the 22-year-old former political secretary to the New Zealand premier blames the party leadership for her decision.

Jadryn Loo, who joined DAP upon her return to Malaysia this January, resigned from her six national, state and divisional posts last Thursday.

The law graduate was also named to contest for a parliamentary and state seat in Penang in the next general election.

Contacted today, she said the party imposed too many restraints on her.

"I have been sidelined from the (party's) mainstream opinion. The reason? Maybe I am young. Human to human relationship is too hard," she added.

Loo warned that more younger leaders would leave the party if the top brass continued to ignore their views.

'Jealous' colleagues

She said being seen as DAP Penang chief Chow Kon Yeow's 'golden girl' could have also upset other leaders.

The Chinese media has been giving her prominent coverage and this is said to have ruffled the feathers of certain quarters.

"Maybe I have been perceived as a golden girl of someone. That created a lot of problems and jealousy. I am kind of straightforward politician, if I like it I'll say it, if I don't, I'll be frank too.

"If people are unhappy, I'll give way," she stressed, adding that she can serve the party better by not holding any posts.

"I'm happier and relaxed now," said Loo, who is currently at her hometown in Teluk Intan, Perak.

On the timing of her resignation, she said there were no ulterior reasons and dismissed claims that it was linked to the mass resignation of 15 DAP Terengganu leaders last week.

She also denied rumours of her crossing over to Gerakan or Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan).

Penang DAP chief Chow said the state committee will meet tonight to discuss the resignation and Loo's grouses.

"Any member who is leaving is a loss to us," he added when contacted.

Meanwhile, another young party stalwart Fong Po Kuan disagreed that the leadership forbade younger leaders from voicing their views.

In February, Fong - who is the member of Parliament for Batu Gajah - revealed that she would not contest in the next general election due to 'personal reasons'.

At that time, Loo was among the party leaders who tried to convince the 30-year-old parliamentarian to change her mind.

High-profile resignations

DAP has suffered a string of high-profile resignations this year, beginning with two Selangor state committee members in August due to a factional dispute.

Last month, DAP Melaka chief whip Sim Tong Him threw in the towel after a bout with the party central executive committee and Durian Daun state assembly representative Betty Chew.

Last week, 15 party leaders in Terengganu tendered their resignations after being instructed to relinquish their official positions in the PAS led state since the two parties failed to see eye-to-eye on the Islamic state issue.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, one party leader called on the leadership not to dismiss these incidents as something 'expected'.

"People who hold different opinions with the party's top leaders and veterans are always being sidelined and marginalised. The party doesn't have space for dissidents," he said.