‘DAP’s Johor move to avoid internal conflict’

Lim Kit Siang loyalists are parachuted to Johor to avoid a scramble for seats, says Utusan Malaysia. Zulkifli’s apology to the Hindus is also highlighted. 

K Pragalath, FMT

The DAP’s move into Johor is to avoid internal scramble for seats, a Malay daily claims.

Utusan Malaysia says another reason is that the young leaders have enough of the old leaders who continue to sideline them.

The paper said among them are Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai, Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun, Bukit Gelugor MP and DAP national chairman Karpal Singh and Kepong MP Dr Tan Seng Giaw. These veterans were described as “power crazy”.

Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong’s move to contest in Kluang was done because Liew was unhappy with DAP secretary-general and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng who favoured Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua on economic and DAP’s internal affairs.

Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran, who is DAP national vice-chairman, is supposed to contest in Segamat against MIC’s deputy president and Human Resources Minister, Dr S Subramaniam.

Speculations are Kulasegaran would be allowed to retire from politics if he lost in the general election.

The shift of DAP leaders to Johor is also described as moving DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang loyalists to another state to avoid internal conflicts.

Utusan also pointed out attempts by DAP to woo civil society leaders to ensure DAP’s victory. Among those who were wooed are former Bar Council president, Yeo Yang Poh, who is based in Johor and Bersih co-chairman S Ambiga.

The daily also reported Kulim-Bandar Baharu MP Zulkifli Noordin’s apology to Hindus if his statement made 10 years ago had incurred the anger of the community.

He claimed the viral video that depicted him as degrading the Hindu faith was meant to slander him.

“It [the video] is meant to defame me and Perkasa even though it has nothing to do with Perkasa. I tender my open apology to Hindus and Malaysians on this matter,” said Zulkifli, a former PKR MP who turned Independent.