Disciplinary actions against members follow due process - DAP

DAP's disciplinary committee has brushed off accusations that it had maliciously persecuted and suspended a member for sullying the party without giving him the right to be heard.

Disciplinary committee chairperson Chong Chieng Jen (photo, above) said the committee followed the due process before handing out the disciplinary decision against party member Loh Eng Soon and several others.

He explained that Loh and others were issued show-cause letters and they wrote in to explain themselves.

"We have given them the opportunity to explain," he said.

In Loh's case, Chong said the committee scrutinised his explanation letter and found that he had violated party discipline.

When asked if Loh and others were called in to explain to the committee, he said it is not necessary to hold a hearing in every disciplinary case.

"He can still appeal to the central committee if he is not happy with the decision," he said.

Chong said the party has written to inform Loh and the others about the committee's decision.

Loh was among the 12 party members whom the party has taken disciplinary actions against for various issues.

Three members were sacked for aiding assemblypersons that have defected to Perikatan Nasional (PN) while Loh was suspended for sullying the Perak DAP leadership.

Meanwhile, Loh said in a statement today that he was shocked to learn through the Internet and a news report that the party froze his membership for one year instead of an official notification from DAP.

"It made me wonder whether this is malicious prosecution against me to deprive me of my rights within the party and to destroy my political future," he said.

Loh also questioned why he wasn't called in to explain and thus depriving him of his rights as a member.