KUALA LUMPUR, February 17 – A heated incident during a dinner event honoring DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang has raised questions about internal turmoil within the party. Lim Guan Eng’s special assistant, Tan Khong Chong, openly hurled insults at Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim in Hokkien, calling him a “traitor.”
Although Tan has since apologized and taken full responsibility for his actions, the incident has sparked speculation: What was Tan’s true motive behind this outburst?
Why Was Sim Called a Traitor?
Tan accused Sim of being a “traitor” and allegedly trying to sabotage Guan Eng. However, no further explanation was provided. Was this just an emotional outburst, or does it reflect dissatisfaction among party members with Sim’s leadership?
So far, Sim has not reacted strongly to the incident. He downplayed the issue, calling it minor and not worth escalating. “I do not want to prolong issues that do not benefit the party. Let’s move forward together and grow stronger,” he said in a statement.
However, Tan’s bold move to publicly accuse Sim at a formal event, seemingly without first consulting Guan Eng, raises another question: Did Tan act with Guan Eng’s blessing, or was this done without his knowledge?
Guan Eng’s Silence – What Does It Mean?
As of now, Guan Eng has remained silent on the incident. His lack of response has led to speculation about whether he disapproves of Sim’s leadership but prefers not to express it openly.
As Guan Eng’s special assistant, Tan would undoubtedly understand the implications of his actions. Yet, he still dared to confront Sim in public. This raises concerns about whether other party members also share dissatisfaction with Sim but have chosen to remain silent.
At the same time, DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke has denied any internal strife within the party. However, this incident suggests a brewing tension among DAP’s top leaders.
Could this be an early sign of leadership challenges within DAP in Penang? Or is this just political drama that will soon be forgotten? The answers may unfold in the near future.