Scorching heat in Johor

THE race for Chinese votes has put Johor under the spotlight.

Buoyed by the inroads made in the last elections, DAP is hoping to continue its attack in the southern state where MCA is set to contest eight parliamentary seats, including defending the four it won – Ayer Hitam, Labis, Tebrau and Tanjung Piai.

The other four – Kluang, Bakri, Kulai and Gelang Patah – went to DAP in the last elections.

But all eyes are on Ayer Hitam which is widely speculated to be the stage for two Johor state chiefs – MCA’s Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and DAP’s Liew Chin Tong – to slug it out.

For DAP, wrestling Ayer Hitam from Dr Wee who is the third term MP is more than just about seeking a victory.

It is also about crippling Dr Wee who is MCA’s anchor for education, especially Chinese education, and undermining the party.

It is also a way for DAP to put up a show of confidence to cover its own internal problems.

Some critics also see the DAP’s attack on Ayer Hitam as a way to punish Dr Wee for pursuing the controversial multibillion-ringgit Penang undersea tunnel and upsetting Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

DAP has been going all out to discredit MCA since the Government approved 16 new Chinese primary school – 10 new and six relocated from rural areas with low demand for such schools.

Seven out of the 16 went to Johor where Chinese education is in huge demand in this rapidly developing state with big housing areas mushrooming over the years.

Gelang Patah MCA chief Datuk Jason Teoh says the present 11 Chinese primary schools around Gelang Patah are packed.

Seven of the schools, he adds, are operating two sessions while the rest have reached their maximum capacity.

Teoh, who is going to contest the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat, is certainly upbeat.

Chinese education matters can tilt in favour of the ruling coalition or otherwise.

Politics aside, Teoh notes that the pupils need to travel 30 minutes from Bukit Indah to Gelang Patah town or Ulu Choh near Pontian for school at present

Travelling time will be just 10 minutes with the new school, he adds.

Johor Chinese School Managers and Teachers Association chairman Tan Tai Kim said between 3,000 and 4,000 Chinese pupils from Bukit Indah have to travel out of the residential area to study in Chinese schools in neighbouring areas.

Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang has been coy over whether he will defend his seat his election.

The MCA has announced part of its Johor line-up – Datuk Jason Teoh (Gelang Patah), Datuk Chua Tee Yong (Labis), Datuk Seri Wee Jeck Seng (Tanjung Piai), Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung (Tebrau) and Gan Ping Sieu (Kluang).