PENANG Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has allowed his deputy, Jagdeep Singh Deo to go on leave for medical reasons.

There are no plans to replace him, Chow said.

“We hope that he will return soon to continue with the state’s development agenda for the betterment of the people,” he was quoted as saying in New Straits Times today.

He said he met with Jagdeep last Friday.

“He explained that the purpose of his leave application was to undergo health checks and possibly a procedure on his left leg, which needs immediate specialist attention,” said Chow.

“After considering his explanation, I approved his leave application for 11 days, from yesterday until August 5.

“I was also informed that he began receiving treatment yesterday,” said Chow.

“On speculation that there will be a change in the post he is currently holding, it (has never been discussed).”

Meanwhile, politicians have called on people to stop speculating over the reasons for Jagdeep’s absence.

Gerakan vice-president Baljit Singh Deo said the public should only wish Jagdeep well.

“We hope Jagdeep can recover and come back to serve his beloved state. We wish him all the best,” said Baljit.

Former PKR deputy secretary-general S. Raveentharan said there was not need to politicise the situation.

“I think Jagdeep just needs time to seek treatment for his ailments and we should respect his position instead of turbo-charging into wild speculations,” he said.

The eldest son of DAP icon Karpal Singh, Jagdeep has recently been in poor health. He underwent surgeries for cataracts and his ankle, which was injured in a fall last year.

The four-term Datuk Keramat assemblyman is Penang state DAP deputy chairman, replacing his predecessor P. Ramasamy, who quit the party in a huff after he was prevented from running for a fourth term for Prai.

Jagdeep said yesterday he was on a short break for medical reasons and that he would soon return to work. He dismissed claims that he was taking a step back from official duties. – July 23, 2024.