Abdul Ghani to face Kit Siang in Gelang Patah

(Sin Chew Daily) – Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman is expected to face opposition stalwart Lim Kit Siang in Gelang Patah, according to a latest information.

Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek has informed Gelang Patah MCA division chairman Jason Teoh and state leaders that the MCA would lease the Gelang Patah parliamentary constituency to Umno.

If there are no changes, Datuk Abdul Ghani will be contesting for the seat.

After assessing the latest situation in Gelang Patah, the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition leadership believes that Datuk Abdul Ghani, who has been the state Menteri Besar since 1995, has a good reputation and prestige. Since Johor is a bastion of the BN, fielding Datuk Abdul Ghani to face Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) Mr Lim can boost the BN’s morale in Johor, according to the latest information.

It was also understood that Mr Teoh, the MCA’s initial preferred candidate, would be fielded to contest in Skudai state constituency.

Johor Gerakan chairman Teo Kok Chee contested in Skudai but lost to DAP’s Dr Boo Cheng Hau in the last election, gaining 12,854 less votes than Dr Boo.

This time, the MCA would contest in Skudai, where 65 per cent of its voters are Chinese. Mr Teo is entrusted with the task to assist the BN in gaining the seat.

The MCA must handle well the discontentment of Gelang Patah division members over leasing of the constituency to prevent internal sabotage.