DAP finally acted against its renegade Penang leader, Goh Kheng Huat, by issuing a show-cause letter for defying a party ban and participating in the Indera Kayangan by-election campaign in Perlis.

The party's disciplinary committee chairperson Chong Eng today said the show-cause letter was sent to Goh, member of Parliament for Nibong Tebal, yesterday.

Goh would have to submit a written reply within 14 days, failing which, Chong said: "The CEC (central executive committee) will make a decision without referring to him."

Chong explained that it was normal to issue show-cause letters to members who breached party discipline.

However, Goh could not be reached for comment.

Yesterday, malaysiakini reported that the disciplinary committee appeared to be 'reluctant' in acting against the renegade leader.

Contradicting opinions

A party source said contradicting opinions regarding Goh's actions had forced the party into a predicament.

"There are some who believe we should expel him yet there are others who want to go easy on him," said the source.

Goh had irked a number of DAP leaders, when he joined the Keadilan campaign in Indera-Kayangan, saying he was willing to face the consequences.

He was also spotted among the Keadilan delegation who accompanied the party's candidate, Khoo Yang Chong, to the nomination centre on Jan 10.

Last month, the DAP CEC resolved not to participate in the campaign and barred party members from going to Perlis for last Saturday's by-election.

The CEC said since the party had withdrew from the Barisan Alternatif, there was no need for DAP to join the campaign.