AUG 12 — It isn’t everyday that the Democratic Action Party (DAP) hauls its senior members before a disciplinary committee.

Today, the tempestuous duo of Teng Chang Khim and Ronnie Liu faced the disciplinary committee to explain themselves in the saga of sacked DAP member Tee Boon Hock and support letters for his son’s company.

The committee accepted Teng’s argument that his tweet “OMG! Real culprit freed!” referred to the movie “14 Blades” and had nothing to do with Tee’s sacking. Or Liu, with whom he admitted relations have not been cosy.

Liu, on the other hand, was rapped on the knuckle for allowing his assistants to issue support letters using his state executive councillor letter head.

The DAP veteran, who has stood together with stalwarts like Lim Kit Siang, Karpal Singh and Lim Guan Eng to rally against corruption and abuse of power, found himself being mired in a similar situation.

Perhaps it was because he is a first-time assemblyman and a first-time state executive councillor, bent on helping the people.

Yet principles must remain that the civil service do their work without being asked to do so or hampered by the politicians that form the government.

“This episode has damaged the Party’s image,” said DAP disciplinary committee chairman Tan Kok Wai today.

“The Disciplinary Committee therefore, issues a severe reprimand against Sdr Ronnie Liu for not managing his office in accordance with public expectations. The Disciplinary Committee also requires a firm commitment from Sdr Ronnie Liu that henceforth he should focus on managing his office in a professional manner,” he added.

The committee also said that in discharging public duties, DAP leaders and members must realise the high expectation of the public.

“The public wants to see a move away from the culture of corruption and cronyism of Barisan Nasional (BN).

“The Disciplinary Committee reiterates the Party’s position against the issuance of support letters for government projects and contracts,” Tan said in a statement issued after the winding up the committee’s deliberations.

Perhaps the committee should also listen to itself.

That DAP leaders and members must realise the high expectation of the public and take action to ensure everyone in the party walk the straight and narrow line.

Teng’s excuse is farcical and Liu’s conduct unacceptable for the kind of leadership that Malaysians are looking from DAP and the Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

The promise of change in Election 2008 has just showed itself to be a change in personalities, not characters or principles that rule some states and the country.

The DAP can do better than a public reprimand. It can do better than copping out on punishing its leaders.

Tee paid a heavy price for his “conflict of interest” and that punishment and standard should be good enough for each and every member of DAP.

DAP, like its foes in BN, must walk the talk. Not just talk the walk.