Is Datuk Lee Kah Choon committing political suicide?

So, the rumours of the past two days that Lee Kah Choon has taken up a position in PDC and InvestPenang were true after all!

Today, he and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has confirmed that Kah Choon is now a director in PDC and InvestPenang. He is also the head of the executive committee of InvestPenang.

For a former top Gerakan leader, it is very surprising news indeed! One wonders at what he has planned to make such a move as I am sure it will definitely anger a lot of Gerakan faithfuls. After all, him going on board with two bodies under the current state government could only be termed as 'selling out' or worse, 'traitorous'.

Many said his move is akin to political suicide as it was almost a no-no for a Gerakan fella to be helping out the Pakatan Rakyat state government, which is now considered as the number one arch enemy of the party.

Just look at how many party members had started calling Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon, former exco, names and for not having principles just because he took part in a Pakatan Rakyat programme, which, mind you is organised for the public and not the party!!!

From a normal, apolitical citizen point of view, I personally feel that both what Kah Choon and Kin Woon did were by far the best things that a politician can do. After all, they are putting the people's interest first and foremost and not whatever party they belong to! Isn't that what we want in a political leader? To look out for our interests and not their party's interest?

Look at Kah Choon, he gave up all his posts in Gerakan a few weeks ago and when this offer came up, he considered it and took it in the interest of Penang.

I know, some may say he is in on it for the money but hey, he is a former lawyer. He could easily make more money practising as a lawyer than becoming a crummy director of a company. Also, since PDC and InvestPenang is now under Pakatan Rakyat, you think it is that easy to makan duit? I doubt it. He'd only get a monthly fix salary.

So, I feel that Kah Choon is sincere in wanting development for Penang. Of course, I also have an inkling of a suspicion that he did this to anger the Gerakan leadership. It is a known fact that he had a feud with the acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

On the other hand, Kah Choon could be doing this to build his grassroots base. He is still a Gerakan ordinary member. And he has said that he could still provide the check and balance as an opposition man within the two bodies. Meaning, he is inside the two profitable bodies and he is there to ensure no hanky panky went on in there.

There were also rumours that Kah Choon could be one of those within Gerakan who were really pissed off with the party for kowtowing too much to Umno. It was heard that this group had wanted the party to separate itself from BN and stand by itself but they failed miserably because those who wanted to remain as servants to Umno outnumbered them. However, I could not get any of my sources to confirm this rumour. If you know anything about this, I want to know!!

Kah Choon is one of the Gerakan leaders whom I have a modicum of respect for as he is hardworking, does not hold back in criticising the government and most of all, he is efficient in whatever he does.

So, in summary, I think Kah Choon has something more complicated up his sleeves than just settling down as a director for two investment bodies. We will have to wait and see just what it is before he reveals all his cards!

After all, Kah Choon is a well-known intelligent political strategist.