GEORGE TOWN: Acknowledging that he is ‘no longer in line with the party leadership's policy’, two-term Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu is adamant to leave the party once the state assembly is dissolved to pave the way for the 14th general elections.
The maverick DAP lawmaker, who joined the party back in 2000, said the last straw that broke the camel's back was the landslide at a construction site in Tanjung Bungah on Oct 21 which claimed 11 lives.
"Both the DAP leadership and the DAP-led state government refuse to accept any criticisms against them, but instead criticised certain groups for 'being friendly with Barisan Nasional'.
“I have been thinking of leaving the party since 2013 because of many unresolved issues such as the transgender, term limitation, hill development, local plan and structure plan.
“Now, after so many incidents, especially the recent landslide, I think the time is ripe for me to go," he told newsmen at his service centre here today, to confirm certain news report that he will be leaving the party.
He stressed that this would be the last time he talks about the issue or risks being labelled "cakap banyak" (talk a lot).
"Until then, I will continue my term as a DAP assemblyman as I am voted in under the party's ticket.
"I know I am facing a lot of criticism but that does not matter to me. So be patient and let me finish my term first," he added.
Teh said the state DAP committee had approached him previously to seek confirmation about the matter, which he personally verified.
"I have even sent an e-mail to state DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow and I take it as my official notice to him that I will leave the party as soon as the state assembly is dissolved," he added.
Moving forward, Teh said he has no plans to join other political parties yet, although he had been approached by some, such as the Penang Front Party (PFP) and Malaysian United (MU) Party.
"However, what I can tell you is that I am not going to join BN, BN-related parties or even Pakatan Harapan member parties. Rest assured, I will also not contest as an independent candidate.
"So, just leave me with space to breathe if I still want to be involved in politics or social woks. That is all I can tell you up to this juncture.
"What happens tomorrow, I am not able to answer that," he added.
Teh has not been seeing eye-to-eye with party leaders in recent years, especially on hillslope development issues, particularly in his constituency.
He also said that he was still unsure which platform to send his message across in the future but believes that a political platform is the best way forward.
Asked if such a room was not given in DAP, he said, "so, that is why I have to leave."
To another question if DAP was fighting for the people's welfare, he said:
"That one, you have to ask them, who they fight for.
"Me? I know who I fight for...I fight for the weak and the minority".
Teh also said that many of his constituents had asked him to reconsider his quit decision.