LIM DYNASTY WILL FALL, SAYS ZAHID
DAP weakened by controversies and internal strife, says DPM
DAP’s “Lim dynasty” has weakened and will fall due to infighting, akin to the fall of empires as seen in the Melaka sultanate. Barisan Nasional deputy chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said DAP had been embroiled in controversies and internal strife following its muchdisputed central executive committee election (CEC).
The issue saw DAP secretarygeneral Lim Guan Eng and his father Lim Kit Siang, who is also party adviser, widely criticised by grassroots and former party members for allegedly delaying the CEC re-election.
Zahid said it was time for MCA to work hard and create a swing of Chinese votes. He also advised the BN component not to be disheartened by the results of the 12th and 13th general elections (GE12 and GE13).
“DAP’s empire will break apart. The Lim dynasty will fall and it is now (time for) the rise of MCA. We were tested twice in GE12 and GE13. With hard work, we can win back the seats we lost to the opposition.
“And if we do not work hard and smart, we will be relegated to the annals of history, similar to the Melaka empire,” Zahid said while opening the Kota Melaka Umno division meeting yesterday.
The deputy prime minister and home minister chided DAP’s handling of its internal party election in 2012, which resulted in the Registry of Societies’ recent directive for fresh polls.
Zahid said half of DAP’s 2,576 delegates were sidelined from voting for CEC candidates, as they were against Kit Siang and Guan Eng.
He called on Chinese voters to stop falling for DAP’s empty promises.
“I urge all Chinese voters in the country (to stop) being deceived by DAP. It is time to return to BN. We will prove that after (the general election), the country’s economy will improve.
“DAP can promise, but when they were given power in Penang, they could not do better than the previous (BN) government.”
Present were Melaka Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Idris Haron and Umno executive secretary Datuk Abdul Rauf Yusoh.
Zahid added that Umno was a far-sighted political party which worked to create a better future for the younger generation.
“We have prepared an agenda for the benefit of the younger generation 30 years from now (through) TN50 (Transformation Nasional 2050), although present leaders may no longer be around to reap its benefits.”
Earlier, Kota Melaka Umno division chief Datuk Abdul Latiff Tamby Chik introduced MCA Youth’s young professionals and varsity students bureau head Eric Choo Wei Sern, as the candidate for the Kota Melaka parliamentary seat in the next general election.
On Friday night, Zahid said BN would only field candidates who could best serve and were preferred by the people.
In a reminder for all party leaders to refrain from lobbying for candidacy, Zahid said they should instead focus on the common goal of ensuring a greater victory at the polls.
Zahid said Prime Minister and BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak would prioritise candidates who were favoured by the people.
“The process to select candidates, in all seriousness, has long begun.
“There is no need to send a delegation to lobby (for candidacy). No need.
“Most importantly, decision (on selection of candidates) will be based on the people’s preferences.
“Those (candidates) who are wanted by the people will be on the prime minister’s priority list,” Zahid said at the opening of the Umno Tangga Batu division meeting.
THE inaugural Johor Barisan Nasional Convention yesterday was told that the ruling coalition should face the 14th General Election as a single “Team Malaysia” entity and go on the offensive against the opposition.
State BN chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said based on the coalition’s track record, experience and challenges it had faced for more than six decades, BN could guarantee the country’s future.
“We must send a clear message to the people that BN is Team Malaysia, and not merely Umno, MCA, MIC, MyPPP or Gerakan, with each moving separately.
“BN as a whole is the best team for Malaysia’s future. BN has proven that one could not govern the state alone, so we must be united in administering it.
“If we could be united against the colonialists, why can’t we continue to unite in managing and developing this country?” Khaled told almost 600 state component party leaders and members at the convention held at M Suites Hotel here.
Present were MCA deputy president and state MCA chairman Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, state MIC chairman Datuk M. Asojan, state Gerakan chairman Datuk Teo Kok Chee and state MyPPP chairman Datuk Dr S. Sivakumar.
Khaled, who is Johor menteri besar, said BN party members should not allow the opposition to continue spreading adverse claims about government policies and contributions.
“We cannot let the opposition sleep well at night. We must haunt them with nightmares. We must make sure their lies, slander and attacks go back to them”.
Khaled also expressed disappointment over the silent stance of certain component parties over allegations levelled against BN.
“This should not be the case as BN has the expertise, strength and numbers to fight the opposition. We must be ahead by revealing how the opposition’s elected representatives failed to engage their voters.
“We must show how in many constituencies, opposition representatives are absolutely not seen as their presence is seasonal.
“They appear during elections and when the government comes up with a good policy, they will shamelessly want to take credit for it”
Khaled cited DAP’s Gelang Patah member of parliament Lim Kit Siang as among the state’s elected representatives from the opposition who had failed to serve their constituents.
“The opposition wants to merely win seats and not work. This is clearly seen in their leader Kit Siang. If their leader is like that, then how about the members? Kit Siang has not been in Gelang Patah for a long time,” Khaled said.