THE resignation of Prof Dr P. Ramasamy from DAP is not surprising, says caretaker Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Chow, who is also the Penang DAP chairman, said the people know the reason that led him to quit the party.
“Primarily, his discontent stems from the selection process of the state candidates list, which was endorsed unanimously by the party’s central executive committee (CEC).
“He told me a few times before that he can accept not being renominated as a candidate for this state election. However, he could not agree on the way the candidate selection process was carried out by the party’s selection committee at the national level.
“This is because, he claims, the initial list submitted by the state DAP was never considered and the incumbents who were not nominated were told about it at the very last minute.
“I have already advised him not to take such a rushed decision. However, he has already announced his resignation.
“I would like to thank him for his service and valuable contributions to the party all these years,” Chow replied to a reporter during his walkabout in Pinang Tunggal, Kepala Batas today.
Dr Ramasamy was among five senior Penang DAP leaders who were dropped as candidates for the state election this week, along with Chong Eng, Phee Boon Poh, Yeoh Soon Hin and Soon Lip Chee.
Dr Ramasamy has served as Penang Deputy Chief Minister II since 2008 which saw the DAP wrest Penang from the Barisan Nasional.