KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 — Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon moved into damage control mode today, claiming that his party adviser Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik’s sudden resignation could have been due to a mere “misunderstanding”.
The embattled president defended his handling of the ongoing crisis in Gerakan’s stronghold of Penang, pointing out that Dr Lim himself had given him the impression that he would have a free hand in the matter.
This, he claimed, was the very reason why he had not sought the veteran leader’s advice.
“Although Tun Dr Lim and I had talked about the Penang situation before, he indicated he would leave it to me and the present leadership to seek solutions.
“Hence, I had not contacted him directly after the EGM (extraordinary general meeting) move came into the open on September 15. This might have led to some misunderstanding,” said Koh in a statement today.
Dr Lim dropped a bombshell on the party yesterday with his sudden announcement during a press conference after the Wawasan Open University convocation ceremony here that he would quit his post as adviser.
In explaining his shocking decision, the Cabinet veteran expressed disappointment in the leadership method of his protege and accused Koh of refusing to get involved in conflicts for fear of offending others.
In a direct reference to the ongoing crisis in Penang Gerakan, Dr Lim had likened Koh to an ostrich, noting that his attitude of speaking no evil and burying his head in the sand had led to many problems in the party.
A group of members in Penang Gerakan, who call themselves the “voice of the grassroots”, recently embarked on a signature campaign to call for the EGM where they plan to move a no-confidence motion against their state chief Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan.
After collecting more than 60 signatures, the group successfully summoned the EGM, which is to be held this Sunday at 10.30am.
Koh however has been seen as being too nonchalant about the crisis affecting the party’s stronghold of Penang, where he was once chief minister, and was further criticised by Dr Lim when he announced that he would not attend the EGM but would instead attend the MCA’s annual general meeting, slotted for the same day.
Koh however defended his apparent lack of response on the crisis today, claiming that he had been actively monitoring and exploring possible solutions to the EGM, either directly with certain key leaders, or indirectly through other leaders at various levels.
“Of course, such a process has taken time,” he said.
He also pointed out that he had, all this times, emphasised that differences should be settled within the party channels, and that the EGM should be avoided as far as possible.
“However, if those who had signed the EGM petition insist on their democratic rights, then the democratic process has to go on smoothly.
“But all must accept the outcome and close ranks, as I have even openly pleaded at the party’s Penang state delegates conference on September 26,” said Koh.
He added that his main concern was in trying to preserve the party’s solidarity, especially in its Penang base, as well as the dignity of its many important leaders.
“It was my fervent hope that with or without the EGM, party leaders in Penang will come together quickly and focus on serving the people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Koh acknowledged that the party had received Dr Lim’s resignation after 4pm yesterday and was now in the process of consulting the rest of Gerakan’s central leadership.
“Tun Dr Lim was regarded as the adviser to the whole party and not just to me personally,” he said.
The Malaysian Insider understands that an emergency central working committee meeting has been summoned at 8pm today at Gerakan’s headquarters here to discuss the latest developments.
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