Wanita PKR Communications Chief Carolyn Khor claimed they were targeting in particular outspoken DAP Assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu.
She claimed a veteran DAP member had sent a scathing message to Teh’s office demanding that he “resign and quit the party”.
She said with the recent warning, the state’s politicians were leaning towards an autocratic leadership.
“Last night, a DAP veteran member held a press conference to condemn Teh for his actions.
“Then, the leader sent a message to our office and I quote him: ‘If he continue [sic] to behave like this and used by Umno and show no remorse, he should resign as state assemblyman and quit the party.’
“I strongly condemn the actions by the person as this is out of line.
“This person has blatantly trampled upon the only voice in the state assembly that dares to voice out against the administration,” she said in a statement today.
Teh had proposed a two-term limit for the Penang chief minister and also to allow women to become CM. Teh was reported as saying this was needed to rejuvenate the leadership and avoid cronyism.
Khor continued to pour scorn on the leader, saying “toeing the party line” would not work if dissenting voices were stifled.
“If the person was looking for all yes-men, then he is simply a yes-man too and to whom?”
Khor said all Pakatan Harapan members must stop slamming Teh for his proposal.
“If nobody took up the role of speaking out within the coalition, we are subjecting ourselves to a dictatorship.
“Do not shoot the messenger. We should push for freedom of speech. And at what cost? Only our conscience.
“How unbecoming of all those who’ve stepped forward to condemn Teh without understanding the larger picture.”
Khor said if Teh continued to be targeted, the Penang government would be no different from BN, where outspoken leaders were shooed away.
“Justice, fairness, good judgment and freedom of speech have been silenced.
“How different is this administration from BN? We used to condemn BN for the same actions, but now the DAP leadership in Penang is no different.
“We need to save Penang from the grips of autocratic leaders who can no longer differentiate right from wrong.”
Khor also called on Penangites to unite behind Teh on the proposal to limit the term for CM to two years.
“Penangites should realise that Teh’s actions are merely as a defender of public interests. He is simply carrying out his duties as the people’s representative.”
Teh has been seen as a DAP rep with a conscience and a black sheep within his party — balding his head over an illegally cleared barren hilltop; defending transgenders; criticising the CM and, of late, trying to limit the period for the CM to hold office.
Sources within the party say his latest proposal was likely to be quashed again as no one “dared to go against Lim”.
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