Ex-DAP state chief to contest in Labis
LABIS: DAP has picked its former Johor state chairman Pang Hok Liong to contest in the Labis parliamentary seat.
The announcement of his candidacy was made by Johor DAP chairman Liew Chin Tong at the party’s office here yesterday afternoon.
Liew also announced that Johor DAP deputy chief Dr S. Ramakrishnan will stand in the Bekok state seat here.
Pang's candidacy laid to rest weeks of speculation surrounding DAP’s choice of candidate to go against incumbent Datuk Chua Tee Yong.
The Labis seat has been a bone of contention after several DAP leaders refused to be relocated here, including Gobind Singh Deo, Teo Nie Ching and outgoing Skudai state assemblyman Dr Boo Cheng Hau.
“It was sort of a surprise. I got a call on Monday hinting that I would be called up by the party leadership to contest here,” Pang said when met after the announcement.
Pang, a 61-year-lawyer, said he was ready to stand in Labis as he was a local boy.
“I felt compelled to stand again after staying out of the polls in 2013. If Malaysians from Singapore are willing to spend their own money to come back and vote, then it is only right that I do my part,” he said.
Pang was a one-term Bekok state assemblyman after the 1990 elections. He contested the Segamat parliamentary seat after that and lost. He did not contest in 2013 after the Segamat seat was given to PKR.
Dr Ramakrishnan said he was confident of defending the Bekok seat which was won by DAP’s Lim Eng Guan in 2013.
“The voters here are keeping silent on whom they will support as there is fear and intimidation if they voice it out. However, the wave of change is clear if you go on the ground and meet them,” he said.
In 2013, Dr Ramakrishnan lost in Labis to Chua by 353 votes.