IPOH, Nov 18 – As expected, M. Kulasegaran has rejected the invitation to be Perak DAP vice-chairman, further distancing himself from a state leadership now under the complete control of his arch-rivals, the Ngeh-Nga cousins.
His announcement is also a likely indication that the leader, still smarting from his startling defeat in Sunday’s party polls, is yet to lay down arms in his battle with the duo despite calls for a united front in what is said to be a frontline state for Pakatan Rakyat in the coming general election.
In a short media statement, Kulasegaran (picture), explained that his decision was made after taking into consideration the present circumstances in the party’s Perak chapter.
“After having weighed all opinions and taking into consideration the present political development and circumstances within Perak DAP, I have decided to decline the cooption offer from the state committee as a state committee member and as state vice chairman,” he said.
He added that he had also taken into consideration the feedback and views offered to him from party leaders, grassroots members and supporters on whether he should accept the co-option.
“I stated earlier that among the factors which I should like to find out was how best I could continue to play an effective and meaningful role in state politics.
“Since then, I have received much valuable feedback which I appreciate very much,” he said.
Kulasegaran, however, stressed that his rejection of the co-option offer today did not spell out his exit from DAP politics.
“This decision is in no way an announcement that I am quitting state politics.
“I pledge to play my active and continued role in both state and national politics to help achieve the Pakatan Rakyat’s twin electoral objectives – to recapture Perak state power and to march towards Putrajaya,” he declared.
Earlier, Kulasegaran had hinted of his desire to quit from politics entirely, despite still holding a post as DAP’s national vice-chairman.
The new Perak DAP state committee is said to be crowded by supporters of the Ngeh-Nga cousins (Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham and Nga Kor Ming), a scenario that likely does not sit well for Kulasegaran who has been dueling with the duo for months.
During Sunday’s polls, Kulasegaran and his team of supporters were completely wiped out from the top leadership while the cousins sailed to an easy victory and swept up 14 of the 15 state committee posts up for grabs.
The popular duo polled the top two highest votes and were placed safely back into their posts with Ngeh retained as state chairman and Nga, as the party secretary.
Only one member of Kulasegaran’s faction made it through – Jalong assemblyman Leong Mee Meng – and even then, the incumbent state treasurer only scraped by at the final 15th spot.
Others like incumbent state committee members Thomas Su Keong Siong, Seah Leong Peng, Keong Meng Sing and Cheong Chee Khing, as well as newcomer Frankie Wong, all known Kulasegaran supporters, failed to make the cut.
Despite this, the newly-elected committee agreed unanimously to co-opt Kulasegaran back into the team as vice-chairman, along with former vice-chairman A. Sivanesan and three others.
The party’s constitution provides for the co-option of five state committee members, to be handpicked by the newly elected team.
It is also believed that Sivanesan, close to both warring factions, will likely announce his rejection of the offer tomorrow. Malaysian Insider
