Press Statement by Lim Guan Eng in Petaling Jaya on Thursday, 2^nd July 2009: 

The breakdown of trust between Kedah DAP and the Kedah PAS Menteri Besar warrants a CEC meeting to endorse or oppose this withdrawal from Kedah PR 

DAP expresses grave concern at the decision by the Kedah DAP to pull out from the state Pakatan Rakyat coalition caused by the failure of the PAS-led government not to give equal treatment to all Kedahans. Kedah State DAP chairman Thomas Su said the demolition of an illegal pig slaughterhouse at Kampung Berjaya and imposition of 50% bumi housing quota in the state were the cause of the withdrawal from Kedah PR.

I was informed by Thomas Su of the Kedah state committee decision yesterday. Only after receiving the official letter confirming the Kedah State Committee decision, would I call a Central Executive Committee(CEC) to make a final decision on the matter.

Pulling out of PR is a serious matter with large adverse national ramifications. For Kedah DAP to do so from the Kedah state government, signals the complete lack of communication and respect from the Kedah PAS-led government. Kedah DAP had never sought any titles or Datukships but had been unhappy with the lack of respect accorded by PAS to DAP in Kedah unlike the respect accorded to PAS in Penang.

I would normally oppose such moves personally especially when based on a single issue and IF there is still room to redress and correct the situation. However, the desperate nature of the situation and the breakdown of trust between Kedah DAP and the Kedah PAS Menteri Besar warrants a CEC meeting to endorse or oppose this withdrawal. All implications will be reviewed and studied in the final decision.

* Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary-General & Penang Chief Minister; Member of Parliament for Bagan