It is confirmed! Lee Kah Choon has accepted the appointment of a directorship of PDC and the executive chairmanship of InvestPenang.
According to the latest post in Malaysian Insider:
He would not comment on whether he would be sacked from Gerakan for accepting appointments as director of Penang Development Corporation PDC and InvestPenang. He has also been made executive committee chairman of InvestPenang.
All he would say was that had “withdrawn from active politics to concentrate on the development of Penang.”
I wrote yesterday that he should be free to accept these posts because it is for the benefits of the people. As I have mentioned yesterday in a post about Lee, a politician’s first priority is for the interest of the people.
I hope Gerakan leaders will be big enough to accept this, and I really hope that Lee’s nemesis inside the party will not use this as an excuse to pressure the party leadership to take disciplinanry action against him. If they do so, it will only drive Lee over to DAP or PKR, and it will only further weaken Gerakan.
As one of my blog commentator, A True Malaysian, said yesterday, politicians should not behave like small kids adopting the “I don’t friend you” type of attitude. They should be magnanimous enough to allow Lee to contribute his talents to help develop Penang and bring in investment to Penang.
Dr. Hsu's forum 
Apr 20, 2008 @ 20:58:33
aiyah… if these gerakan ppl cannot accept this or that, then all can choose pg bridge or komtar… 1,2,3 all hold hands and jump la!
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Apr 20, 2008 @ 21:52:57
To be frank, I have written-off Gerakan in Malaysian politics. So, either Gerakan accept Lee Kah Chuan appointments or otherwise is not so important now. But I still hope to see Gerakan will be as you said, big enough to accept this.
The welfare of Penang should come first. In fact, Gerakan should dissolve and joint Pakatan Rakyat.
The appointments signify the return of meritocracy in Penang Goverment. Bravo to you, Guan Eng.
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Apr 20, 2008 @ 22:35:53
If Lee Kah Choon leaves politics out of his work and carries out his responsibilities diligently and if the party leadership succumbs to pressure from within to take disciplinary action against him, then it will only expose the party’s narrow and selfish interests.
People are watching Gerakan’s reactions to this and if the reactions in any way show small-mindedness, Gerakan itself would have become DAP’s best recruitment aid.
If Gerakan loses its remaining support in Penang, it might as well kiss its future goodbye.
As a Penangite, I applaud the magnanimity shown by DAP in victory and now I hope to see Gerakan’s gracefulness in defeat.
Don’t behave like the UMNO goons or else ……..
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Apr 21, 2008 @ 00:44:59
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Apr 21, 2008 @ 00:57:14
Err… should’nt Gerakan be considering joining the PR by now ?
I voted DAP in Perak and get a PAS MB, yet, he has done more for us in 50 days than BN has ever done for us in 50 years. No doubt with some suggestions from his PR excos.
But Gerakan still concern me, as I work and live in Penang and probably my offspring will be Penangites.
Do you think that Gerakan is going to regain its former glory by being part of the rejected UMNO-dominated BN ?
Many of us still remember the good old days of Lim Chong Eu and Gerakan transformation of Penang.
Let’s not kill that memory, by getting wiped clean comes GE-13, I don’t think it will be a lucky 13 for Gerakan as it is right now.
DAP led Penang govt still rather young, and they need all the help they can get for the betterment of Penangites. There is no shame asking for help.
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Apr 21, 2008 @ 13:45:46
There are already voices inside Gerakan to expel Lee. I suspect even Koh would want Lee to go because of his resignation of all party posts earlier to force Koh to do the same.
According to Kwang Hwa Jit Poh today, Koh was quoted to say that Lee resigned all his posts because he was dissatisfied that the party did not promote him. Well, it is not logical because Lee resigned 2 weeks after the election and when all posts were gone. Where is the higher post that he asked for?
Koh also said that Lee’s acceptance of PDC post could be seen few weeks back when he resigned all his posts. But the State government has justed offered the posts to him last week, so Koh’s timing is all wrong. One really wonders what is Koh’s motive in saying so.
What can be deduced from Koh’s statement is Koh is trying to blacken Lee subtly as a grudge against Lee for not being obedient.
If this deduction is true, then there would be not much hope for Gerakan, because the people are waiting to see whether Gerakan will take action against Lee or not. If the party is seen to be narrowminded, it will lose whatever little support from the Penang people.
Don’t forget, before the Election, Koh also threatened to take action against an Indian Youth leader for voicing out against UMNO.
As a Penang voter who had supported this party, I feel disappointed with Gerakan for being similar to MCA; Internal bickering is threatening their very existence.
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Apr 21, 2008 @ 16:43:49
Pls read this post calling for Lee to be suspended.The title is “suspend Le Kah Choon”.
The link is http://hklpenang.blogspot.com/2008/04/suspend-lee-kah-choon.html
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Apr 21, 2008 @ 17:04:37
This latest news proved that I was correct. Even the ex-Chief of Gerakan behave like that. What you expect his down line?
“可怜”李家全两边不讨好
林敬益讥讽行动党人才凋零
http://malaysiakini.com/news/81697
Lee Kah Choon, I believe your conscience is clear in accepting the appointments. You must as well resign from Gerakan.
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Apr 21, 2008 @ 21:17:01
DAP send out a olive branch and true to their ideology, promotes meritrocracy.
And all Gerakan top leaders reaction is just to show disgust and saying it is DAP political ploy….
Come on, don’t get any shallower.
I go to Gerakan websites, and I can’t even find anything under “Ideology”…. that about sums it all for Gerakan…
You are just a “has been”…. got “reinvented” by UMNO… next election Penangites will throw you out again.
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Apr 21, 2008 @ 21:17:07
I just came from watching the 8.00pm Buletin Utama on TV3 and I saw a buffoon comment on this issue.
Not befitting at all of an elderly statesman!
I don’t know what will be the outcome of this but I know I will be willing Lee Kah Choon on to succeed for the betterment of Penang.
Of a more pertinent concern, Najib now asks of Gerakan what its going to do next.
So Gerakan, what are you going to do next? I also want to know.
Remember, the people are watching! More of the “I wish him luck but …… (smirk)?” or “yes boss, we will take disciplinary action against him” or “lets stir both the DAP and Gerakan members up” so much so that Lee Kah Choon’s appointment is doomed to fail before it starts?
I hope Gerakan’s hardcore members are enough to ensure its survival. Its bleeding supporters daily but first being so extremely silent then when it chose to speak, blurts out childish and myopic comments.
The people are watching and are getting increasingly FED-UP!
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Apr 21, 2008 @ 22:26:56
This what I tried to post at Putih hitam Kelabu but somehow my posting would not appear. Maybe its awaiting moderation but doesn’t say anything after I clicked ‘publish comment’. Anyway I’ll reproduce it here.
What about a genuine desire to serve the people and state of Penang?
It need not involve politics if Lee Kah Choon just gets on with the job and not get involved in the politics of it. And if his appointment is politicized, he can always leave.
Mr H’ng, you wonder how Lee Kah Choon is going to provide “the check and balance” when Kah Choon himself is part of the organisation that is doing the job.
Let me ask you a question in return. How is Gerakan going to be the conscience of BN and be a check and balance of UMNO by being in the same coalition?
You advocate suspension rather than expulsion because, in your words “Gerakan should not made Dato’ Lee into a hero.” But then why even suspend? What has he done wrong? Is it so wrong to serve the people and state of Penang?
If you suspend him because he has done something wrong, then why stop at suspension? If Lee Kah Choon had violated a sacred rule of the party and in turn betrayed the party, then by all means he should be expelled!
Why the half measure?
You further said, “If he proves loyal to the party in the future, then at the right time, lift his suspension.” What does this mean? That he is already guilty of being disloyal to the party by taking up a non-political appointment to serve the people of Penang?
I thought the fundamental rule of law is that one is innocent until proven guilty in this country and the rest of the world!
Mr H’ng, let me tell you what I witnessed on the night of 8 March.
I was at the election centre of Dato’ Teng Hock Nan when the results started trickling in. By 7.00pm, it was clear that Dato’ Teng had lost and people started to wonder how the other Gerakan candidates were faring. I overhead one senior party member ask another how Teng Chang Yeow was doing. The answer was he was losing as well. The one who asked the question then commented “Good, at least we’re not the only one.”
It sickened me when I heard this and I’m not even a party member. I was just a friend of a party member who helped out wherever I could.
It got me thinking what had this party called Gerakan become? A battleground for personal glory? What about the people? Those of us who have voted for Gerakan all these years and expected them to protect and fight for our rights against the hegemony of UMNO.
Finally we have a state government who is prepared to move away from the politics of old and try something different and new for the betterment of Penang and its people, and what do we hear? Conspiracy theories and chastisement of those who answer the call.
You have a bigger problem looming. Najib is now asking Gerakan what its going to do? I want to know too.
Punish Lee Kah Choon to satisfy big brother even if it’s morally wrong or do nothing and incur the wrath of big brother? Or the usual half-measures you are advocating here which people are so sick of?
If only you guys can see the desperate state you are in without alienating ‘fair-minded’ Penangites any further.
Allow me to let you into a little secret, in case you haven’t realized already.
The people are simply FED-UP of politicking for the sake of politicking. When it mattered most, you guys kept silent. Now someone from within your own ranks wants to step forward and do something good for the people, you want to punish him.
Be thankful that you even have 2 MPs and 4 ADUNs now. Carry on like this and there will probably be NONE left come the 13GE.
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Apr 21, 2008 @ 23:51:38
what can gerakan do? sack him and the party is villified for being vindictive afterall he is trying to serve the state. condon his joining, and the party will be maligned by MCA for compromising integrity.
heck, Lee just do gerakan a favour. resign as a member and dont even contemplate joining any political party. like you said, “I am here to serve people” PERIOD.
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Apr 22, 2008 @ 01:11:15
Sorry Dr Hsu for losing my cool in Putih Hitam Kelabu.
http://hklpenang.blogspot.com/2008/04/suspend-lee-kah-choon.html
I just fail to understand why after being given such a clear message from the voters that there are those from within the party who can’t see the forest for the trees?
What happened to fair-play, selflessness, and doing the right thing? Why must it always come back to my failures as part of the silent majority? Which by the way I’ve expressed many times my regret. Like I said before, I may not have the credentials to speak now but I at least I’m look myself in the mirror and would be the first to admit my shortcomings.
This world would be a better place if all of us had mirrors!
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Apr 22, 2008 @ 07:49:02
Romerz, what you witnessed that night is exactly what happened in the party. Each candidate hopes that others will fall so that he can be appointed as an exco or deputy minister.
The type of culture in this party sickens me and I agree with what Dr Hsu has said about the divide and rule culture put in place by the buffoon who is still in control behind the scene.
With this type of culture and personalities in control, what do you expect? Penang people are not stupid. They will never vote for gerakan again if they are so petty and so selfish.
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Apr 22, 2008 @ 08:17:45
What ‘s such a big deal even if he is fire by Gerakan? After all this BN lap dog party is not even capable in gaining the trust of Penangites. No non-Malay man with some dignity will worry about what DrKoh or party leaderships will think any more.
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Apr 22, 2008 @ 10:18:17
Some civil servants are UMNO members. So did Pakatan sack anyone of them when they took office?
Some civil servants are PAS supporters, but even UMNO ministers tolerate them as long as they do their work.
What is so different if Lee can do his work in a detached manner, especially when he has already said that he has quit active politics.
To go on and witch hunt is not good for Gerakan. To belittle him publicly will only get the oppositie effects and strong reaction from the voters.
The people’s mindset is very different from 10 or 20 yrs ago. That is why nonMuslims are willing to vote for PAS this time.
If the party does not realise this and the team continues its old way, it will be like “Mission Impossible” to win back voters, and it will be on a self destroy mode very soon. I hope they will not kowtow to Najib this time, stand up and answer ” this is our internal affairs”.
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Apr 22, 2008 @ 12:44:39
Yalor, what does UMNO has to do with Gerakan’s party affairs ?
What does UMNO has to do with choice of Penang CM ?
One of the reason why Penangites turns on you and put the Penang CM choice back in the hands of the rakyat.
Is Gerakan just UMNO lap-dog, if so, might as well you call yourself UMNO, if you have any dignity left.
Lim Chong Eu must be crying to see Gerakan falling to pieces by such narrow-minded self-serving individuals that is running Gerakan nowadays.
Redeem yourself, go back to your founding ideology, which rings much truer with the PR then with the race-based BN.
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Apr 22, 2008 @ 14:24:35
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0422&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Politik&pg=po_02.htm
Seems to imply that Gerakan is under direction from Najib…. What the heck ??
Grow some backbone…. is Gerakan turning into a chicken shit party ??
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Apr 23, 2008 @ 00:38:51
Gerakan leader stand up to “The Nazi”? fat chance!
he is afraid he will lost the possible federal cabinet position, prefer to be a lap dog rather than a honor man with backbone.
This party will just be another “sorry ass” history in Penang if they think they can “sell out” again of Penangites’ interest to Umoputra racists.
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Apr 23, 2008 @ 12:26:23
If all Gerakan knows how to think that LKC is like a pengkhianat or not loyal to the party. Then Gerakan can all be considered no longer relevant.
They have forgotten their main objective is to see the betterment of the country and the rakyat. Which now they put their political agenda ahead of these.
Hey Gerakan, PR is so open about giving some important jobs to you opposition guy. Why not he just give the jobs to his own people, better right so “orang sendiri” will get a job.
But PR didn’t do that. CM Lim Guan Eng goes for talent and goes for ability and he is party-blind and colour-blind, so he cares less whether you are an opposition or not. If you have the qualification and you have the will to serve the rakyat.
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Apr 23, 2008 @ 12:49:05
I think Malaysian politicians are generally too childish and wasting too much times on doing all the unnecessary to step each other down instead of co-operating with each others to lead Malaysia into fighting the global crisis and creates Malaysia a better place to live.
I strongly support LKC’s boldness in acceptance of the positions offered by the Penang’s state Government.
What about the former DAP’s MP for Bukit Bintang, Datuk Lee Lam Thye is also providing his services for the BN’s Government.
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Apr 23, 2008 @ 13:30:07
DAP or PR can be the first in Malaysia to appoint candidate from the other side , Gerakan can also be the first in Malaysia to allow member to contribute to the Country and Rakyat under an organisation supervised by the other side. This indirectly PATH THE WAY FOR GERAKAN TO BREAK OFF FROM BARISAN NASIONAL IF ACTION OR PRESSURE IS TAKEN BY BN AGAINST GERAKAN. That will be interesting, and that will also give another choise for PENANGNITE come GE13. DAP will also feel the heat and work harder.
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Apr 23, 2008 @ 13:55:52
为国为民! LKC, tell those in Gerakan.
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Apr 23, 2008 @ 17:44:53
If Dato Lee Kah Choon takes the job as a directorship of PDC and a chairmanship of INvest Penang, this is his personal matters and has nothing to do with politics.
So what the fuss and cries by the “Big brothers” Big brothers are voted by the
public for their broad mindedness and “morality”.
Please and please do not misuse or abuse one’s power for a person who has a true heart to help
others.
Only those who have done something wrong are
afraid to be exposed.
But do not have doubt, the law of natural retribution will take its accurate course., whether good or bad.
Good begets good, bad begets bad.
Dato Lee, if your conscience is clean and sincere then it is your right decision and direction.
Help those who need help, as the saying goes,
“God helps those who help themselves and in dire need .”
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Apr 23, 2008 @ 21:42:39
Lee Kah Choon already resigned from Gerakan. If Gerakan members are so blind and remain loyal by the AIDS-infected UMNO side, they’ll all die a painful death. Now waitinng for LKC to join Pakatan. He can be Penang CM one day when Lim Guan Eng /DAP takes over Melaka… hehehe… after 8308, this can be a reality!
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Apr 24, 2008 @ 02:44:13
All Malaysians especially Penangites be prepared to hammer down your final nail to Gerakan ‘s coffin in 13th election to close this shameless n spineless party once and for all in Penang, cheer!!!!to a new Penang….
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