MEDIA STATEMENT
Former Malacca Chief Minister and Bersatu hopeful Rahim Thamby Chik should think twice before threatening to sue Pakatan Harapan (PH) representatives for raising their concerns over his application for membership into PH.
Rahim’s threat to sue Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong (‘Rahim to sue DAP man over attempts to stop him from joining PPBM, FMT, 18.12.2018) is unnecessary and can be seen as an attempt to silence criticism of former UMNO members joining PH.
Even before he has been accepted into PH, he is threatening its members.
How do you work with people like this?
Rahim has done nothing for the PH cause.
What did he do to further the reform agenda when Barisan Nasional (BN) was in power? What has he contributed to the reform agenda in Malaysia Baru?
When he applies to join Bersatu, Rahim must surely know that he is applying to be a part of PH.
In such circumstances, Rahim must be open to criticism of his proposed membership from all PH members, not only those from Bersatu.
PH members have every right to criticise any member who applies to be a member of the coalition.
Imagine if Lim Kit Siang applied to join MCA in 1995. Do you think UMNO would have kept quiet?
Bersatu should condemn Rahim’s threat and turn down his application on this ground alone in the spirit of PH unity.
It is only natural for PH representatives to be suspicious of former UMNO members joining PH.
We do not need to be threatened for expressing such concerns.
Dated this 18th December, 2018.
RAMKARPAL SINGH
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
BUKIT GELUGOR
CHAIRMAN NATIONAL LEGAL BUREAU
DEMOCRATIC ACTION PARTY