Discord in Johor DAP over 'axed' candidates as polls loom
JOHOR POLLS | Johor DAP is embroiled in an internal tussle over the selection of candidates, which might impede its chances in the March 12 state election.
Since last week, speculation has been rife that several incumbent assemblypersons would be dropped.
Initially, those rumored to be on the chopping board were Tan Hong Pin (Skudai), Ng Yak Howe (Bentayan), Ee Chin Li (Tangkak), Cheo Yee How (Perling) and Yeo Tung Siong (Pekan Nanas).
The quintet is considered not aligned to Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong.
On Feb 6, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng announced that Ee would defend his seat, but the fate of the others remains unknown.
As news of the possible axing spread, DAP grassroots in Johor organised several protests and flash mobs to register their disagreement.
Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong
On Tuesday, a group of DAP members from the Iskandar Puteri parliamentary constituency invited Liew to dialogue with them in Skudai.
When the Johor DAP chief did not turn up, he incurred the wrath of members.
The Facebook live video of the event had zoomed in on an empty chair with Liew's name on it.
"We are not here to fight or kill each other. We just want to express our views. Let's hope he will turn up.
"I was forced to do this Facebook live while waiting for him," said Johor DAP Youth member Shawn Tan Boon Kuang.
Bad blood since 2018 party election
It is an open secret that there are two factions in Johor DAP - led by Liew and Hong Pin respectively – and the bad blood between them has existed since the state party polls in 2018.
Amid the speculation that he might be dropped as a candidate, Hong Pin last week openly asked Liew if the latter's decision was due to their squabble.
According to him, Liew had personally informed him that he would not be fielded in Skudai again.
Hong Pin cautioned that DAP could not afford to make major changes to its list of candidates when the public sentiment is not in favour of the opposition or Pakatan Harapan.
"However, the state chief (Liew) told me that he will take responsibility if anything goes wrong in the state election," he said, according to a China Press report on Feb 4.
On Tuesday, a group of DAP members from the Iskandar Puteri parliamentary constituency invited Liew to dialogue with them in Skudai.
When the Johor DAP chief did not turn up, he incurred the wrath of members.
The Facebook live video of the event had zoomed in on an empty chair with Liew's name on it.
"We are not here to fight or kill each other. We just want to express our views. Let's hope he will turn up.
"I was forced to do this Facebook live while waiting for him," said Johor DAP Youth member Shawn Tan Boon Kuang.
Bad blood since 2018 party election
It is an open secret that there are two factions in Johor DAP - led by Liew and Hong Pin respectively – and the bad blood between them has existed since the state party polls in 2018.
Amid the speculation that he might be dropped as a candidate, Hong Pin last week openly asked Liew if the latter's decision was due to their squabble.
According to him, Liew had personally informed him that he would not be fielded in Skudai again.
Hong Pin cautioned that DAP could not afford to make major changes to its list of candidates when the public sentiment is not in favour of the opposition or Pakatan Harapan.
"However, the state chief (Liew) told me that he will take responsibility if anything goes wrong in the state election," he said, according to a China Press report on Feb 4.
Skudai assemblyperson Tan Hong Pin
In a Facebook posting today, Liew confirmed that Hong Pin would not be fielded in Skudai.
He added that Hong Pin was instead offered the Labis parliamentary seat in the next general election.
"In the past, when state and federal elections were held concurrently, it was common for parties to switch candidates from state to federal seats and vice versa.
"Some observers even consider it an 'elevation' when a state assemblyperson is slated for Parliament.
"Even when state and federal elections are now separated, the fundamentals remain the same," he added.
Therefore, Liew argued that Hong Pin is not being dropped but rather being groomed to become a candidate for Labis.
Malaysiakini learnt that DAP's central leadership has intervened with the hope of resolving the crisis before nomination day on Feb 26.
In a Facebook posting today, Liew confirmed that Hong Pin would not be fielded in Skudai.
He added that Hong Pin was instead offered the Labis parliamentary seat in the next general election.
"In the past, when state and federal elections were held concurrently, it was common for parties to switch candidates from state to federal seats and vice versa.
"Some observers even consider it an 'elevation' when a state assemblyperson is slated for Parliament.
"Even when state and federal elections are now separated, the fundamentals remain the same," he added.
Therefore, Liew argued that Hong Pin is not being dropped but rather being groomed to become a candidate for Labis.
Malaysiakini learnt that DAP's central leadership has intervened with the hope of resolving the crisis before nomination day on Feb 26.
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kt comments:
This was EXACTLY how the DAP's "inner coterie" (Johor Division now led by Liew Chin Tong a.k.a Zhuge Liang) eff-ed up Dr Boo Cheng Hau in 2018, refusing for him to stand for a 3rd term in Skudai, and insisting that he moved to the MCA (then) stronghold of Labis. Same modus operandi being set up for Tan Hong Pin - note the MCA today is re-surging in its old haunts like Labis.
The DAP's "inner coterie" have eff-ed up many veterans like Zul Noor (Penang) in their party coup d'etat to install/parachute their own mates into choice-strategic positions.
That was why old-timers, veterans and grassroots in Selangor crushed a member of teh "inner coterie" in his LGE-approved bid to be DAP Boss in Selangor, instead voting for Gobind Singh.
Gobind Singh is also a "Lim Man" though possibly not Inner Coterie
ReplyDelete"That was why old-timers, veterans and grassroots in Selangor crushed a member of teh "inner coterie" in his LGE-approved bid to be DAP Boss in Selangor"
ReplyDeleteThis does not jive with but contradict with the lost by your "salt of the earth"!
Indeed the "salt of the earth" in the Selangor DAP led the crushing of that LGE-approved member of the "inner coterie"
DeleteNot sure how you arrived at the incorrect conclusion?
My point is your "salt of the earth" is the leader of the group opposing LGE's gang. How come he himself also lost in the 2021-2024 election?
Deleteinner coterie is still powerful whatever we may say, though with opposition from "salt of the earth", may at times be neutralised
Delete