Perak DAP wants ex-MB to contest Bukit Gantang

(NST) Former menteri besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin should be considered for the upcoming Bukit Gantang parliamentary by-election, said Perak DAP chief Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham.

Speaking to reporters before a party briefing on the latest political situation in Perak, Ngeh said that Nizar would be the perfect candidate to send a symbolic message to the Barisan Nasional that the people of Perak still wanted him as their leader.

Ngeh, who later led the 300-strong crowd to observe a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for the late Bukit Gantang MP Roslan Shaharudin, said he was not being disrespectful to the Pas leadership but was only expressing his own thoughts.

"The DAP would give our 100 per cent to whoever the Pas leadership eventually chooses. But in my opinion, if Nizar was chosen, then the people of Bukit Gantang would be able to prove to the BN that Nizar is our preferred leader," said the former state executive councillor.

"It is my personal belief that Nizar would have the full support of the people there if he contests. Through his open approach, he has gained the support of Malays, Chinese, Indians and Orang Asli," said Ngeh.

Later during the question and answer session at the briefing, Ngeh was asked by a party grassroots to explain the party's stand on party-hopping, to which Ngeh said that DAP had always supported anti-hopping laws.

"Our stand is that we are against party-hoppers. However, we are supportive of a constitutional amendment allowing for public representatives who resign from their parties to re-contest in the
by-election," he said.