I have always thought highly of YB Fong Po Kuan of Batu Gajah. This young gutsy lady gave much of her life to serve the people having been elected into Parliament at the young age of 24. I mean, how many young ladies at the age of 24 would rather stand in Parliament fighting for the good of the people of this nation, having to tolerate sexist remarks from disgusting and dishonourable BN MPs and giving up time for the people than to take a normal 9 to 5 job to earn a decent living oblivious to what is happening around the country, much less politics? Her breaking news (more of heart breaking news to her supporters) reported by Malaysiakini two days ago brought dismay and disbelief to her and DAP supporters and much glee to the mighty BN.

Now, for all her intelligence and aspirations for a just and fair nation, I am pretty much disappointed with her decision to call for a press conference to announce her decision not to stand as a candidate for Parliament at the eleventh hour. Don't get me wrong. I know she must have her reasons. Well, she did say that the reasons were internal politicking. Naturally, the top DAP leaders deny the existence of internal politicking but the damage has been done. Being politics, the truth of whether there is internal politics or how serious it is is anybody's guess. After all, it's politics we are talking about.

But being a two term MP (and a popular one at that), she should know that such an announcement made one week prior to nomination would have caused a dent in the party's morale, greatly disappointed those who supported her work all these while, created further rift in the party and jeapordises some of the good work which her colleagues have been doing all these while. If at all, why should she call for a press conference? She could have just left it to the party's leaders to nominate a new candidate (since she is insistent that her decision is final) come nomination day.

I find it hard to consolidate her allegations of not all is rosy in Perak DAP leadership vis a vis her statement that she would continue to support and fight for DAP's cause. Does she then mean that she would still be a party member but disagree with the leadership? If she truly wants to serve and is willing to serve the public (considering her popularity with the people in her constituency), would she consider exiting DAP and standing as an Independent candidate based on her principles and aspirations for the nation?

If she had said that she wants to make way for others and spend more time with her husband since they have just got married and said this earlier, it would have been easier for the people to accept and allow her to go. Afterall, a politician is also a human being and needs to have a life of their own. But to call a press conference one week before nomination day and dropping a bombshell against her own party is a little too reckless, I must say. I seriously don't think that this was a spur of the moment decision. She must have thought long and hard about it. In fact, it was even reported that she didn't even want to stand for the last election.

What took her so long to decide Enough is Enough and then deciding that this is the best time to say adieu? Your guess is as good as mine.