Gag on Ooi-Wong spat

GEORGE TOWN: DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng has barred all party members from making statements over the spat between two Penang leaders.

Lim said the only exception to the ruling was Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow, who has been tasked to handle the matter.

The lines of authority are clear. In a party, it is appropriate that there is only one voice. There is no need for many to talk about this.

Apart from Chow, no one should say anything as far as this matter is concerned, he said when asked by reporters to comment on the spat between his chief of staff Jeff Ooi and state executive councillor Wong Hon Wai.

Lim, who is also Penang Chief Minister, was speaking to reporters after launching an e-waste recycling dialogue at a hotel here yesterday.

Over the past week, Ooi and Wong have been exchanging barbs over low-cost housing applications in the state.

Ooi, who is also Jelutong MP, called for Wongs resignation as a state executive councillor over the issue.

Chow said Oois attacks went overboard and crossed the line of decency.

Penang MCA adviser Datuk Koay Kar Huah said the gag order was a sign that the DAP had internal problems.

The issue is the state governments housing problems.

We are not interested nor concerned about their partys internal problem.

The state is not doing much to help the poor by building low-cost and low medium-cost affordable homes, he said.

Gerakan vice-president Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan, who is also the partys Penang chairman, said the gag order showed the DAPs authoritarian leadership.

Penang PPP chief Datuk Dr Loga Bala Mohan said the gag order is what democracy is all about for Lim.

-The STAR-