MALACCA: Kota Melaka Member of Parliament Sim Tong Him today defended his resignation from DAP, stating it should not be regarded as a sign of disloyalty, as claimed by the party's secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.
Sim said his love for the party was undying and that was why he served as a member for over 30 years.
"Do not question my loyalty just because I chose to leave the party. If I was not loyal, I wouldn't have stayed in the party for such a long time.
"I quit the party not for personal reasons, but because I was disappointed and can no longer tolerate at the rate the party's direction is heading to. My love and loyalty is to the party, not individuals," said Sim when met at his office here today.
Sim was responding to Guan Eng's attack on him via a statement, in which the latter stated that Sim was saved from expulsion by DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang after he stood as an independent against a DAP candidate for the Kota Laksamana state seat in the 2013 general elections.
Lim had cited Sim's exit from the party as an act of disloyalty although Sim had pledged otherwise.
Sim refuted all Lim's claims, adding that his resignation yesterday was never because a retaliation due to his suspension by the disciplinary committee or his loss in the state party polls in December 2015.
The anymosity between Lim and a faction within Malacca DAP, dates back to 1999 when he left the Kota Melaka seat after losing to current Duyung assemblyman Goh Leong San in state party elections.
Goh, who was among the four DAP lawmakers who resigned from the party yesterday, then registered 83 votes, while Guan Eng gained 27 votes and his spouse Betty Chew 33 votes.
Goh was also at Sim's office earlier, but declined to comment on the situation.
Another of the former DAP quartet, Kesidang assemblyman Chin Choon Seong also declined comment when contacted by New Straits Times as the statement was deemed to be targeted at Sim.
Bachang assemblyman Lim Jak Wong has also not responded to calls.