DAP's Tanjung Bungah assemblyperson Teh Yee Cheu, who voted for an Umno motion on reclamation in Penang but later apologised for his mistake, has quit his party post.

DAP state secretary Lim Hui Ying said Teh quit his state organising secretary post effective Monday.

"The resignation through an e-mail was addressed to the state chairman Chow Kon Yeow and state secretary," he said.

In his resignation letter, Teh informed the party that he has decided to resign over his support of the Umno motion on reclamation at the Penang state legislative assembly on Nov 20.

The motion on sea reclamation was filed by Muhammad Farid Saad (BN-Pulau Betong) who wanted the state to conduct a comprehensive study, have public consultations, and cancel new, unapproved projects which did not benefit the people.

Five PKR assemblypersons abstained from voting on the motion, which prompted Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng ( photo ) to accuse the party of planning a coup to capture the deputy chief minister’s post.

Teh, a sort of rebel within the party, had irked Lim when he supported the Umno motion filed by Pulau Betong assemblyman Muhammad Farid Saad on more transparency in approvals of sea reclamation projects.

In his motion, Farid wanted the state government to conduct comprehensive studies and public consultations before such projects are approved. Lim replied this was already provided by federal laws which his administration had to comply with.

Farid also called on all such new projects to be cancelled, but Lim shot back that Umno had a sinister plan to bankrupt the state as cancellation would cost the state about RM1 billion.

Avoiding bankruptcy

Lim was also upset with five PKR representatives who abstained from voting down the opposition motion saying they had voted according to their 'conscience'.

The five were party whip Ong Chin Wen (Bukit Tengah), T Jayabalan (Batu Uban), Lee Khai Loon (Machang Bubok), Cheah Kah Peng (Kebun Bunga) and Norlela Ariffin (Penanti).

Lim described their move as 'betrayal and mutiny' within the party, suggesting that there was a coup in progress within PKR for the Penang deputy chief minister’s post, currently held by Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Rashid Hasnon.

Lim, who is DAP secretary-general, has been criticised for his response to Teh and the five PKR reps, but said he was willing to take the criticisms as saving Penang from bankruptcy was paramount.

At a press conference in Komtar today, Chow said Teh only mentioned that he was quitting his organising secretary post but will remain a party member.

"His email to me only mentioned he is quitting the party post, so it is understood he is also giving up his state committee member post. The letter did not say more than that," Chow, who is also state executive councillor said.

Asked if Teh was told to resign after he apologised for his "mistake" in supporting Umno's motion, saying he was prepared for any punishment, Chow replied "no".

On whether Teh would still be censured by the party, he said it was up to the disciplinary committee.

"Let the due process take place. The disciplinary committee has asked the Penang DAP to submit a report and that has been done yesterday," Chow noted.

Teh has also been nominated as one of the 48 candidates eyeing for posts at the DAP state elections this weekend.

On this Chow said: "This is a separate matter."

Lim, who was also present at the press conference, added: "I don't think anyone has asked him (Teh) to resign."