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The Bukit Gelugor MP and party legal bureau chairman asked how one could work with someone who was threatening PH members even before becoming a member.
“Rahim’s threat to sue Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong is unnecessary and can be seen as an attempt to silence criticism of former Umno members joining PH.
“Even before he has been accepted into PH, he is threatening its members. How do you work with people like this?”
Ramkarpal said Rahim had done nothing for the PH cause.
What, he asked, had Rahim done to further the reform agenda when Barisan Nasional (BN) was in power?
“What has he contributed to the reform agenda in Malaysia Baru? When he applies to join Bersatu (PPBM), Rahim must surely know that he is applying to be a part of PH.
“In such circumstances, Rahim must be open to criticism of his proposed membership from all PH members, not only those from PPBM.”
Ramkarpal said members had every right to criticise anyone who applied to be a member of the coalition.
“Imagine if Lim Kit Siang had applied to join MCA in 1995. Do you think Umno would have kept quiet?
“PPBM should condemn Rahim’s threat and turn down his application on this ground alone in the spirit of PH unity.”
Ramkarpal said it was only natural for PH representatives to be suspicious of former Umno members joining PH.
“We do not need to be threatened for expressing such concerns.”
Rahim said earlier today he was considering legal action against Khoo for accusing him of involvement in “past scandals”.
“The action of DAP and PKR, in their attempt to prevent PPBM from accepting me as a member, by pressure and threat to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, is undemocratic and cowardly,” Rahim, who quit Umno on Sunday, said on Twitter.
Khoo had warned against taking in the former Melaka chief minister hours after Rahim handed over his membership form to PPBM.
In the 1990s, Rahim had a run-in with DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, the then-Kota Melaka MP, who had been jailed after being convicted of false news. Lim had accused Rahim of statutory rape. The then Umno politician was not prosecuted for lack of evidence, but eventually resigned as chief minister.
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