‘ BAD move, DAP’
GEORGE TOWN: Penang Gerakan chairman Teng Chang Yeow has condemned DAP for its “do or die” electoral mission to politically eliminate Chinese leaders from other parties in the coming 14th general election (GE14).
Teng said if DAP continues with such moves, i t would eventually ruin the Chinese community as the people would be deprived of talented Malaysian leaders.
“DAP strongman Lim Kit Siang did that in the 1980s and 1990s when he went after then Penang chief minister Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu and his successor Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon,” Teng said.
In 1986, Kit Siang defeated Koh and later won against Chong Eu in 1990.
Teng urged DAP to justify its actions to the community on the need to politically “kill off” Chinese leaders from other parties, as that would indirectly weaken the community in the country’s multi-ethnic society.
In GE14, DAP’s party strategist Liew Chin Tong will be taking on MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong for the Ayer Hitam parliamentary seat.
Perak DAP leader Nga Kor Ming is likely to go up against Gerakan president Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong for the Teluk Intan parliamentary seat.
Speaking at Gerakan’s 50th a nni v e r s a r y c e l e b r a t i o ns yesterday, Teng said the people in Penang are being forced to
choose and in the end, they will end up short as they will lose representation and the injection of fresh ideas and energy towards nation building.
Koh said Gerakan was fighting for longterm political relevance, after losing twice in Penang since 2008, adding that the party was formed because it had the interest of the common folk at heart.
“Since its formation, none of the top Gerakan leaders had been accused of mismanagement, arrogance or corruption. We have a record of bringing development to the people,” Koh said.
Meanwhile, DAP has defended the party’s strategy, saying it is incorrect to depict it as a clash between Chinese leaders.
“If MCA and Gerakan incumbents are afraid of losing their seats, they can either consider relocating to another seat, or rethink their alliance with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak,” DAP central committee member Zairil Khir Johari said yesterday.
He said in reality, the Chinese are like the Malays, Indians or others – they all want quality in their elected representatives and leaders who will serve their needs and fight corruption.
“Nobody wants to elect those who are self-serving. If the incumbents have become weak, it is not DAP’s fault. Rather, they must ask themselves where their respective parties have erred.”
Penang DAP Youth deputy head Chris Lee said both MCA and Gerakan have lost their direction and purpose in helping the country progress.
“I find it humorous that Gerakan is talking about Chinese representation when essentially, it is supposed to be a multiracial party.”