In response to malaysiakini's report [#1]Keadilan luring our members: Penang DAP[/#] (Feb 26), I would like to make a clarification on Chow Kon Yew's allegation of Nibong Tebal branch members' involvement in the Kick Out Kit Siang (KOKS) campaign in 1992.

I do not have any idea about what transpired in 1992, but as a pro-tem committee member for the setting up of the Nibong Tebal branch prior to the 1999 general election, I would like to ask Chow what had happened to the Nibong Tebal branch.

Why were members from other branches as far as Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam transferred to Nibong Tebal branch? Was it to prevent Goh Kheng Huat from controlling the branch or to ensure a candidate to the liking of Penang DAP leadership was elected and protected?

Prior to the last election, I was assigned to set up the Nibong Tebal branch to shore up support for the Penang DAP leadership as the KOKS group led by Goh was the most vocal one against the DAP leadership.

The majority of the 32 members that defected to Keadilan were not members involved in the KOKS campaign, whether in 1992 or 1999. Most of them were new recruits. That they have decided to abandon DAP should be reason enough for Penang DAP to review what it has done to the Nibong Tebal members who were hardcore DAP supporters. I do not wish to bring up internal problems in the media, but I do wish Chow would refrain from throwing wild allegations against my friends and me.

The most disheartening thing in Penang DAP is the crazy infighting among various factions. Our dissatisfaction against certain state leaders is not tantamount to being anti-Lim Kit Siang or Karpal Singh. When the members opted to quit, it was because Penang DAP never really learnt to treasure grassroots support for the party.