Lee Chean Chung has resigned as Petaling Jaya MP with immediate effect following his three-year suspension from PKR, while leaving open the possibility of joining Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama), led by former PKR leaders Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Lee announced the decision on Oct 2, saying he had submitted his resignation letter to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul a day earlier. He also plans to formally leave PKR on Oct 5.
“Should I continue receiving a salary as an MP but merely sit silently? No. Therefore, I have decided to resign unconditionally as Petaling Jaya MP effective today,” Lee said during a press conference.
His resignation came after he was informed on Sept 30 that his PKR membership had been suspended for three years.
Lee said he believed the disciplinary action was linked to his outspoken positions on several issues, including the Urban Renewal Act, foreign worker recruitment, the Sales and Service Tax, university admissions involving STPM holders and Selangor guidelines on non-Islamic places of worship.
He also claimed he had not been given an opportunity to explain himself during the disciplinary process.
Asked if he intended to join the Rafizi-led party like other former PKR figures, Lee stopped short of confirming his plans.
“I think I know where I want to go, but today I want to focus on my decision to resign as an MP,” he said.
Lee has been associated with Bersama since attending its launch in May, when Rafizi and Nik Nazmi announced they would leave PKR, vacate their parliamentary seats and take over the party.
His attendance subsequently became a point of contention within PKR. Lee later resigned from the party’s central leadership council but, at the time, said he would remain a PKR member and continue serving as Petaling Jaya MP.
Despite giving up his parliamentary seat, Lee said his Petaling Jaya service centre would continue operating and that he would continue serving the community as a resident.
He also indicated that he intends to contest the next general election and hopes to remain in Petaling Jaya.
