KUALA LUMPUR, 11 Dec 2008: The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) today expelled former party president SI Rajah for making a statement calling on Datuk M Kayveas to step down as PPP president.
The PPP Disciplinary Board, which met today, took the decision to expel the veteran as he had no right to issue the statement on the PPP president.
Yesterday, Rajah, a member of the party who described himself as PPP advisor, said the party would not leave Barisan Nasional (BN) after the PPP threatened to leave if the government did not amend the Internal Security Act (ISA).
The chairperson of the Disciplinary Board, Maglin D Cruz told reporters here that what Rajah did was very serious and he could not rejoin the party.
Kayveas had previously said that the party would leave the BN if the government did not amend the ISA before the 13th general election.
However, BN chairman and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had said that the government would not amend the act and that PPP was free to leave the BN.
Meanwhile, the PPP Supreme Council, at its meeting today, fully supported Kayveas’ decision to urge the government to amend the ISA.
PPP senior vice-president Datuk Lee Heng, who chaired the supreme council meeting, said the party believed the government would amend the act as it involved the sentiments of the people.
“We are still in the BN and we support the BN government. But if our request is not entertained or does not get the appropriate response from the BN, then the PPP has no reason to remain in the BN,” said Lee Heng.
Kayveas did not attend the meeting as he was said to be in Los Angeles, United States, and is expected to return on 24 Dec. — Bernama
