PETALING JAYA: Penang DAP deputy chairman P Ramasamy has denied resigning from all his posts and leaving the party after being dropped as a candidate in the state election.
He said the news was untrue and spread by irresponsible parties, after he objected to the party's decision not to nominate him.
"It's all fake news. I'm still in the Penang caretaker government as Deputy Chief Minister II, still deputy chairman of Penang DAP and still a DAP member. I'm still loyal to the party," he told Sinar Harian when contacted on Friday (July 28).
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"I believe there are (quarters) taking advantage by spreading this fake news after I objected to the party's... selection of candidates.
"I have absolutely no intention of leaving the party. The rumours on social media are not true," he added, referring to messages circulating about his exit from the party.
The rumours intensified after the candidates' list was announced recently, with Ramasamy and other state exco members dropped from contesting.
However, Ramasamy did agree with former Bagan Dalam assemblyman M Satees’s claim of an "emperor" using his power to influence party decisions.
The 74-year-old also denied meeting Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in Kuala Lumpur to discuss anything.
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"I'm not going anywhere, I'm in Penang. I'm still working in the caretaker government and I'm still going to my service centre. I did not meet Muhyiddin or Tun," he said.
Ramasamy also said he had no specific plans about his political future and for the moment, he would focus on writing his memoirs.
"I'm still thinking about my future. Maybe I'll play a role at the national level, but I'm not sure in what form yet.
"For the state elections, I am not going to the ground to help with the campaigning. I am going to focus on the book but I will continue to be in (politics)," he added.
Asked if he was disappointed with the party's decision, the former Perai assemblyman said he was not, although he did not agree with how it was made.
"The way they did it is wrong. I accept (not being nominated), but their arguments have nothing to do with it.
"This is more of a 'political purge'. That's why I'm not satisfied.
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"The party's argument is that it wants to give opportunities to new faces to serve the people, so why did they drop good young leaders like Yeoh Soon Hin, Soon Lip Chee and Satees?" he asked.
Previously, party secretary-general Anthony Loke announced that five Penang exco members had been dropped from the list of candidates.
They were Phee Boon Poh (environment and social welfare), Chong Eng (social development and non-Muslim affairs), Soon (youth and sports), Yeoh (tourism and creative industries) and Ramasamy.
