Himpunan Hijau chairperson Wong Tack said today he is representing the nation’s green movement in his contest for the Bentong parliamentary seat in the coming polls, despite doing so under the DAP banner.

Therefore, it was not necessary for him to quit his post in Himpunan Hijau, Wong said.

NONEHe also argued that Himpunan Hijau was a movement, not a formal non-governmental organisation.

“If you ask me to resign, I don’t know to whom I should tender my resignation to.

“If you don’t want to call me chairperson, you can call me ‘Uncle Wong’,” he told Malaysiakini when contacted today, adding that the request for him to quit is “irrelevant”.

However, yesterday Wong announced in Kota Kinabalu that he has resigned as Sabah Environment Protection Association (Sepa) president, a post he has held for seven years.

"I think it is fair for the committee as I have spent a lot more time outside of the state. Still I will give Sepa my fullest support," Wong was quoted as saying by Daily Express.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng announced on March 12 that Wong would contest in Bentong on a DAP ticket against Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai in the 13th general election.

Though he received the blessings of several of his comrades in Himpunan Hijau, the question of Wong resigning as the head of the movement has been raised.

Activists, including those who had put their signatures to support Wong's move to contest in the polls, think that he should resign because NGO activists and politicians "have conflicting roles and functions".

Others feel that Himpunan Hijau members should discuss among themselves and make a final decision on their stand on Wong'a move.

Battling for DAP or Himpunan Hijau?

Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall's Civil Rights Committee head Liau Kok Fah said yesterday Wong should resign as head of Himpunan Hijau since an internal dispute has risen.

NONELiau (right) said that after Wong admitted to being a DAP member, the question now was whether he was for the party or for Himpunan Hijau in the contest.

“This has caused a problem and the situation must be clarified... and the best way out is for Wong to resign.”

Liau said he still supports Wong's move to contest in the election and that even after resigning, he could still work closely with Himpunan Hijau.

LLG Foundation president Toh Kin Woon told Malaysiakini yesterday that Himpunan Hijau must make a decision on the matter, whether Wong resigns as head of the movement or not.

“If they believe Wong will be elected and will help the Green Agenda through Parliament, then there shouldn’t be any problem. It all depends on the Himpunan Hijau stand.”

Bersih committee member Hishamuddin Rais when contacted said Wong should make it clear to the people whether he would be contesting as a representative of Himpunan Hijau or DAP.

NONEHishamuddin (right) said there would be no need for Wong to resign if he was contesting as a representative of Himpunan Hijau, but by using the DAP ticket.

Citing the late Zaiton Kasim as example, he said if Wong was only "borrowing" the political party's banner for his battle, he does not have to resign his position in the civil movement.

“It's better for him to make it clear whether he is representing Himpunan Hijau or the DAP.

“If he is representing Himpunan Hijau, then no need to resign. If he is representing DAP, then he should resign,” Hishamuddin said.

Bersih committee member Wong Chin Huat concurred that Wong should give up his position in Himpunan Hijau, but for a different reason.

'Two NGO models in politics'

Chin Huat told Malaysiakini yesterday that there were two models of an NGO's participation in politics, and that separation of the two was just one model.

The other was political parties serving as an arm of NGOs, such as the Labour Party with links to the trade unions in Britain.

In such a situation, Wong does not necessarily have to resign over separation principle, Chin Huat added.

The task of an elected representative, he said, would be very heavy and energy-consuming and so it would be better for him give up his leadership in Himpunan Hijau and stay focused on his political engagement.

“Wong resigning and becoming a fulltime representative will be the beginning of Wong Tack 2.0 and Himpunan Hijau 2.0,” Chin Huat added.

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