Tuesday December 20, 2005

Betty upset over her ouster

MALACCA: Kota Laksamana state assemblywoman Betty Chew, left out in the cold from the Malacca DAP committee, has conceded that she was disappointed with the outcome of the state election.

“I am saddened by the results. It should not have happened,” said Chew, referring to the 33 votes she obtained during the Sunday election for the 15-member committee.

That placed Chew, who is the wife of DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, 16th of the 17 contenders vying for the 15 seats.

Despite her disappointment, Chew said she would support newly elected state chairman Goh Leong San and his committee.

Chew: 'It should not have happened'

“I will respect the delegates’ decision,” said Chew, who was booted out together with Lim, who was last on the list with just 27 votes.

Chew said she had been receiving non-stop calls from party members and friends, adding that even her own children who were away in Penang called her many times to find out if she was all right.

Chew said she would not do anything that would jeopardise the party and that she would continue to serve the DAP and the people.

“No doubt the results have affected the good name of the party and may also have a great impact on the next general election, but it is useless to blame anyone. We don’t want the party to be split,” she told a press conference at her office in Taman Melaka Raya yesterday.

Chew, who is also state DAP Wanita chief and Kota Laksamana assemblyman, said she was initially not keen to contest in the state election, but decided to go ahead.

This was her second contest after the first in 2000, when she was elected a committee member.

She first stood for the general election in 1999, and won the Durian Daun state seat.

Lim was also in the office yesterday but declined to speak to reporters.

“This is not the right time for me to make any comments,” he said.

In Ipoh, the Perak DAP expressed continued support for Lim.

Perak DAP chief Ngeh Koo Ham, describing Lim as a capable leader, said: “I am confident that Lim can still lead the party.”

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