DAP today suspended the membership of its Bukit Beruang, Melaka, branch secretary Steven Ho for defying a gag order concerning a melee which erupted during a party meet in the state last year.

The party disciplinary committee said the suspension was effective immediately until a further decision is made.

Ho was also instructed to furnish an explanation within 14 days as to why action should not be taken against him for breaching the rule, added the disciplinary committee in a press statement.

The suspension follows Ho's comments on the brawl which appeared in today's southern region edition of Nanyang Siang Pau and yesterday's malaysiakini.

His comments were said to have "adversely affected the party's image".

When contacted later, Ho said he had not received any directive about the suspension but added that he will appeal the decision.

He stressed that he was merely responding to the criticism levelled against him by a Melaka Youth wing member.

Ho also questioned the disciplinary committee's decision to punish him for speaking to the press, but not the Melaka state committee chief, Sim Hong Tai, for taking sides.

On Jan 15, Ho was suspended from his post for 30-days following a brawl with state deputy chairperson Goh Leong San at a Wanita DAP function on Nov 16. Goh was slapped with a three-day suspension.

Ho and Goh, who is also the Tengkera state assemblyperson, got into a heated exchange of words and landed in a fight after accusations were hurled against one another for the poor organisation of the function.

Ho was said to have hurled obscenities against Goh who, in turn, was said to have pushed Ho.

State committee leader Sim has been openly supportive of Goh. The state committee had also lodged a police report against Ho.

Sim also joined Goh when the latter moved his office out of the party headquarters in protest of the suspension against him.

Strict action

Meanwhile, the disciplinary committee today also warned all party leaders and members to comply with party rules or risk punitive action.

"The disciplinary committee will take strict action against those leaders and members who purposely and continuously exaggerate and worsen the situation," said the committee.

It also called upon the Melaka state committee to cancel a proposed meeting on Jan 30 to explain and report on the Nov 16 incident, saying that the action will only worsen and complicate things.

Sim told malaysiakini he had not received any statement from the disciplinary committee.

He added that the state committee will have to meet to consider the disciplinary committee's request.