The committee found Ramasamy to be uninvolved in the protests. — File picKUALA LUMPUR, March 12 — Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy was today cleared by the DAP over allegations of indiscipline in relation to a protest outside the state chapter’s conference last December, The Star reported on its website.

On December 11, a group of nearly 200 threw their support behind Ramasamy during his “godfather” spat with DAP chief Karpal Singh.

The group gathered outside Pearl View Hotel in Butterworth, where the convention was being held, following the row between the two leaders that began after Ramasamy reportedly declared he would defend his Prai state and Batu Kawan federal seats in the next general election.

Today, DAP disciplinary committee chairman Tan Kok Wai said Ramasamy was adjudged to be uninvolved in the protest.

“The committee holds that Dr Ramasamy did not commit any disciplinary wrongdoing,” Tan was quoted as saying by the newspaper. He also added the protesters were found to be non-members.

The war of words between Ramasamy and Karpal had then sparked fears of a split in Penang DAP ahead of an anticipated general election soon.

The row had been caused by inaccuracies in an article from Tamil newspaper Makkal Oosai, which wrongly reported Ramasamy as declaring his candidacy for the two seats. Its chief editor, M. Rajan, later issued a correction for the paper’s November 28 report.

Karpal subsequently called on “warlords and godfathers” in the party to fight the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN), in a bid to close ranks ahead of the general election.

“Let the warlords and godfathers get together against BN,” said Karpal during the DAP national convention in January.