IPOH, Jan 5 (Sin Chew Daily) — Perak DAP advisor Datuk Ngeh Khoo Ham says any party member confirmed to have joined another party as member or affiliate member, his membership will be automatically nullified.

Ngeh told Sin Chew Daily in a telephone interview this afternoon that even the member has not submitted a resignation letter or informed the party leadership of his intent to leave the party, but has made the announcement through a media platform, the disciplinary committee can still take the necessary action to verify the information based on media reports or third party complaints (not necessarily from another party member).

Ngeh explained that under the party's constitution, any member joining another political party will have his membership automatically nullified.

"Additionally, any member involved in acts detrimental to the party's image will also be dealt with by the disciplinary committee.

"Before the committee takes any action, the member will be given a chance to defend himself."

Even after the disciplinary committee has taken the action, the member can still appeal within 14 days to the central executive committee, which will have the final say.

Ngeh said rumor that the party's state assemblyman for Malim Nawar Leong Cheok Keng has quit the party to join MCA has not yet been verified, unless MCA has announced that it accepts Leong's application to join the party, in which case his DAP membership will be automatically nullified.

He said even if MCA eventually turns down Leong's application, the disciplinary committee can still take action against him if he admits to have told the media his intention to apply to join MCA.