PETALING JAYA: Penang MCA leaders have slammed their DAP counterparts for gagging a state assemblyman from speaking up against hillslope development in the state.

Initiating gag orders on members who dared to speak up was akin to dictatorship, said Penang MCA secretary Lau Chiek Tuan.

He was referring to the case of Tanjung Bungah DAP assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu who was asked to stop making public statements and explain his criticism on hillslope development in the state to the party leadership.

“As a state assemblyman, Teh has a responsibility towards his constituents in Tanjung Bungah.

“Thus, it is only right for him to continue raising the issue of hillslope development,” Lau said.

He added that the turn of events indicated that some DAP members were aware their party leadership did not really care for the people but was more interested in pursuing its own agenda.

He added that these members were also aware that the party, which professed to champion democracy, seriously lacked democracy within.

In George Town, Penang Barisan Nasional publicity bureau chief Tan Cheng Liang said DAP was making a “mockery of democracy” by asking Teh to explain his comments.

“It is as though DAP cannot accept any criticism, even from its own members,” she claimed.

Teh had reportedly said he would persist in speaking up on the matter.

Separately, MCA national organising secretary Datuk Tee Siew Kiong urged PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to clarify allegations that he had owned 20 master accounts worth RM3bil.

He also called on DAP to express its position on the allegation and persuade Anwar to come clean.

He added that the Inland Revenue Board and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission should investigate the unknown sources of Anwar’s purported wealth.

Tee said DAP would have instantly criticised Barisan Nasional if such an allegation had been levelled against a Barisan leader.

“But now the situation has reversed and the Rocket opts to turn a blind eye,” he said.

-The Star-