Former Gerakan deputy secretary-general Lee Kah Choon today dismissed suggestions that he should quit the party for taking up positions offered by the Pakatan Rakyat-led government in Penang.

He said that his job as the InvestPenang chairperson has nothing to do with politics.

lee kah choon lim guan eng penang 220408"Hence, it is not necessary that by being in InvestPenang, I should quit from Gerakan," he told reporters after receiving Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng at InvestPenang office today.

He was quoted by Bernama as saying that he was prepared to accept criticisms on his decision to accept the appointments as director of Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and chairperson of InvestPenang.

PDC functions as the state government's investment arm and among its tasks is to plan and implement development projects, while InvestPenang is an agency to woo investors to the island state.

He added that he was waiting for the action to be taken against him by the Gerakan leadership on his position in the party following his decision to accept the two posts offered by the state government.

'Politics is history to me'

Asked on the prospect of him quitting Gerakan and joining DAP, he said: "Politics is history to me. I leave it as it is."

"For the moment, I will focus on the responsibilities entrusted on me in PDC and InvestPenang," added Lee who started work on Friday.

He resigned from all posts in Gerakan on March 31 following the party's electoral setback in the March 8 general election.

Earlier today Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he accepted Lee's decision, but later said this was contrary to the Barisan Nasional's (BN) spirit.

He said Lee must first seek the views and decision of the party leadership on the offer made by the Pakatan Rakyat Penang state government.

Gerakan leadership is also expected to meet this Sunday to decide on Lee’s decision to accept the posts.

Show-cause letter issued

The party today issued a show-cause letter to Lee, asking him to explain why no action should be taken against him for taking up the opposition job offer.

"The issuance of the show-cause letter was decided during the party's central working committee meeting last night," acting president Dr Koh Tsu Koon said today.

He said that the party had previously directed all members to relinquish all appointments as municipal councillors and village security and development committee (JKKK) members in all states ruled by Pakatan Rakyat.

"Therefore Lee's actions are in contravention with the principle and spirit of this general directive of the party," Koh said in a statement.

Koh said the directive was based on the fact that Gerakan now had to play a role as an effective opposition in Penang.

"We cannot do this objectively if our own members hold key positions in the state and local administration."

Lee’s experience questioned

gerakan youth agm 2007 051007 koh tsu koon 2The former Penang CM also question the choice of Lee to assume to two posts in the state investment agencies, citing the latter’s lack of experience in the matter.

"Lee has no direct experience in promoting investment in the industrial sector. So far, he has experience as a lawyer and a parliamentary secretary of the Health Ministry, which is unrelated to the manufacturing industry," said Koh

He said that under his administration the two investment agencies were helmed by people with vast experience and extensive international connections.

“As the industrial sector is Penang's most important economic sector, it is not proper for (Chief Minister) Lim to play politics this way, which may jeopardise the state's effort and ability to effectively attract investment into Penang," added Koh.