Lee should have served out term despite PKR differences, says Hassan

KUALA LUMPUR: Lee Chean Chung should have continued serving as Petaling Jaya member of parliament until the end of his term regardless of his differences with PKR or its president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, says one of the party's senior MPs.

Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim said Lee should have followed the example of Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who continued serving his constituency and attending Parliament despite being suspended from Umno.

"It is not proper for Lee to resign as Petaling Jaya MP. He should have served as PJ MP until Parliament is dissolved," he said when contacted.

Lee resigned as PJ MP on Friday after handing his resignation letter to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.

This came after PKR suspended him for three years.

Lee claimed his suspension was linked to his outspoken stance on various issues affecting the public.

Hassan said Lee's differences with PKR or Anwar should not come at the expense of the voters who elected him.

"Why betray the PJ voters who elected him?" he said, adding that Lee's resignation, along with those of three other former PKR MPs, could impact the push for reforms requiring two-thirds majority support.

Hassan cited proposed constitutional amendments to separate the roles of the Attorney-General and Public Prosecutor, as well as a proposal to limit the prime minister's tenure to two terms or 10 years.

"This is a betrayal by former PKR MPs who resigned irresponsibly, with the consequence of sabotaging the institutional reform agenda," he said.

Hassan said Lee might now face an uphill battle to defend the seat because of his actions.

PKR vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the party's focus must remain on serving the people, strengthening PKR and fulfilling the mandate entrusted to it by voters.

"Changes involving an individual leader should not divert attention from our greater responsibility to the people," she said.

"It's not about who leaves or who joins, but about how far we can continue to earn the people's trust and fulfil the mandate they have given us."

Lee's resignation makes him the fourth PKR MP to leave the party this year, following former deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and former vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad in May, and Wong Chen in August.