Dr Boo in tight spot over Kit Siang’s candidature

(Bernama) – DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang’s decision to contest the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat and spearhead the party’s Johor election machinery has been likened to a vote of no confidence against state DAP chairman Dr Boo Cheng Hau.

Gelang Patah Umno division head Datuk Abdul Aziz Sapian said Lim’s candidature would cause dissatisfaction not only among Dr Boo’s supporters in Gelang Patah, but also Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) members.

“It’s clear that DAP top leaders have lost faith in Dr Boo to lead the state election machinery by sidelining him. The cracks in Johor DAP are worsening,” Abdul Aziz told Bernama.

Kit Siang’s candidature was confirmed by PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Skudai last night.

Abdul Aziz, who is also Nusajaya assemblyman, said PKR members would be angry for they had lost a seat they had been contesting in previous general elections.

“Dr Boo’s supporters may not be able to accept the decision for their boss had been openly embarrassed,” said Abdul Aziz, adding that this was the culmination of cold relationship between Dr Boo and Kit Siang and his son, Lim Guan Eng, who is DAP secretary-general.

Dr Boo, who is also Skudai assemblyman, had been eyeing for the Gelang Patah seat to unseat incumbent Member of Parliament Tan Ah Heng of Barisan Nasional who won by a majority of over 8,000 votes in 2008.

Dr Boo had been embroiled in an open verbal war with Johor PKR chairman Datuk Chua Jui Meng over the right to contest the Gelang Patah seat.

However, Dr Boo declined comment when asked about Kit Siang contesting in Gelang Patah.