BY JAHABAR SADIQ
EDITOR
APRIL 08, 2013
The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 — Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek was asked to face Lim Kit Siang in Gelang Patah but the MCA president declined the offer, leaving Barisan Nasional (BN) to consider its choices for the hottest battle in Umno’s home state, say ruling coalition sources.
The Malaysian Insider understands the MCA is pushing for caretaker Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman to fight the DAP adviser but an unsettled Malay ground and pro-opposition Chinese voters could scuttle those plans.
“Some in the BN war room thought it would be a titanic fight and that Dr Chua is strong enough to face Kit but the MCA president said no,” a BN source told The Malaysian Insider, referring to the veteran opposition leader by his moniker Kit.
“Now other choices are being considered as the final list must be ready by Tuesday,” the source added.
Pakatan Rakyat (PR) announced last month that Lim was to run in Gelang Patah, and spearhead the opposition pact’s push to pick up more federal seats in Johor. Dr Chua was then dared by the DAP to face Lim but the MCA president declined the challenge last week.
The MCA had earlier named local division leader Jason Teoh to run in the federal seat, won by Johor Wanita MCA chief and deputy national vice-chairman Tan Ah Eng in Election 2008 when she retained the seat by defeating PKR’s Zaliha Mustafa by 8,851 votes.
Lim’s political arch-foe, Malaysia’s longest-serving Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, described Lim’s move from Ipoh Timor “ridiculous”, calling BN members to bury the DAP adviser’s political career and said the local Chinese would not give support.
Lim then asked Dr Mahathir to run against him but was turned down. Since then, MCA-controlled newspaper The Star has been reporting that Ghani was popular with the electorate and would be ideal to face the veteran DAP leader.
However, it is learnt that BN has not included the caretaker Johor mentri besar in its candidate list due to a pushback from the local Malay community upset with rising costs and being elbowed out of the fast-developing and pricy Iskandar Malaysia economic corridor.
The 67-year-old Umno leader has been a four-term MB but it is understood that BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak wants to put in younger and “winnable” candidates to helm the Umno home state.
“Najib has promised at least 40 per cent new faces and he wants those who are capable of pushing Iskandar Malaysia even higher,” said an Umno source, confirming that Ghani’s name is not on any list.
He cited Ghani’s frosty ties with the Johor palace as one of the main reasons that the state leader is being dropped, adding: “That’s why he is free to offer himself for Gelang Patah because there is no seat for him.”
It is understood that caretaker Higher Education Minister Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin and UDA Holdings chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed are in a short list to replace Ghani as Johor MB if BN keeps the southern state.
“BN needs to put someone strong there as every parliamentary seat is crucial in this election. But Dr Chua doesn’t want and Ghani is willing but there are issues that could cut his support,” the Umno source said.
“We’ll find out soon enough but it won’t be a titanic fight now,” he added.
BN sources say the ruling coalition is confident of regaining its two-thirds majority in Parliament lost in 2008, predicting it can win up to 160 seats in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat.
However, coalition leaders have warned against complacency against PR which is battling every seat to capture Putrajaya. PR has also expressed confidence that it can win at least 125 federal seats to form the government.
Both coalitions have already issued centrist-themed manifestos to convince the 13.3 million eligible voters to support them in the general election which will be announced later this week after Parliament and the state assemblies were dissolved last week.
Then who should come to face LKS? Nazip should come, if he is not a coward.
What kind of leadership the top hierarchy of UMNO/BN is showing to Malaysians?
None in the top echelons dare to face off with LKS?
Is this the way “leaders” are supposed to behave?
They only want “safe” seats for themselves?
And are prepared to sacrifice their subordinates so that they can be safe?
Very dismal “leadership” indeed!
None, in fact!!
So, for more than five decades, this country is ruled by such “leaders”?
No wonder it’s in a complete, unmitigated mess!
A morass!!!
LKS is the type of leader Malaysians, irrespective of race or religion, will admire!
One who dares to takes the risks personally rather than sacrifice another person to take them on his behalf!
That’s the hallmark of good leaders!!!
There is not a single one of them among the scums in UMNO/BN of such calibre!!!
No wonder Mamak and porn star or any of their big mouths dare not take him on.
A MCA President refuses to face off with Lim Kit Siang in a Malaysian Chinese stronghold at Johore is like a chicken …running for cover and pass the buck to big brother to save his hide.
Actually he has no power to do as he likes.
Najib calls all the shots for MCA and announcing Ong Tee Keat as a candidate is a big slap to Chua Soi Lek.
Lets enjoy the puppets show.
I still say it won’t happen. For Ghani to do this, he would foolish not to demand a guaranteed seat at the national level. Meaning that if he lost, he would be given a Senatorship and a very substantial Ministership. If he wins, he can demand no less than being contender for the PMship.
Unbelievable there is that much room at the top of UMNO and the resources that come to get it for them to pull this off..
Under moderation near 13th GE?????….time to give up this blog…..good-by Mr. Lim Kit Siang….and all…. the best on your noble cause….for people and country.
As it turned out, the decision to fight in gelang patah – apart from the obvious objective, which is to spearhead pakatan’s onslaught in the state of johore – have produced a few nasty stings. And umno is now being troubled by that move and those stings, quite deeply.
You see, the challenge to face-off with monsterO’mamak in gelang patah has received no response, so far. Soilek openly chicken-ed out and does not want to meet LKS there. And abdul ghani is uncertain and undecided.
Look, this is umno’s playground we are talking about. Its like fighting man u in old trafford. You would be minced if you are not careful. So why should umno (mca is umno by another name) be so unsure?
Pushing Ghani is the right move after considering that CSL will sure lose if filed in Gelang Patah, a Chinese majority seat. CSL know very well MCA have been abandon by most Chinese and their political life is merely hanging by the non Chinese votes.
Ghani is the best bit as UMNO also want to get rid of him, but if he win then he is coming a life politically. Many in UMNO will have no problem to agree to field him in Gelang Patah.
Ghani seem to be the best BN choice now but Ghani may not want to go if only given Gelang Patah, he need a state seat as insurance in case he lost in Gelang Patah.
LKS will face a tough fight if Ghani is his opponent, but sure LKS will face BN who ever is their candidate.
From winning majority of 31,666 votes in 2004 to 8,851 votes in 2008, that’s 22,815 votes for BN to win back and I think is not possible. The odds are against BN in numbers.
“That’s why he is free to offer himself for Gelang Patah because there is no seat for him.”
Wow! Ghani volunteer on a suicide mission because he was dropped by Najib? Wonder why Ah Eng is extremely quiet?
It is understood that caretaker Higher Education Minister Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin and UDA Holdings chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed are in a short list to replace Ghani as Johor MB if BN keeps the southern state. – The Malaysian Insider
The brain drain situation inside UMNO is phenomenal. Pakatan Rakyat only needs 20% more vote swinging their way in Pulai and Pasir Gudang to kick these MB candidates out.
It is time CSL dissolve MCA and joint Umno.
If CSL dare not face the chinese voters, dare him put up some poster with his face on in Gelang Patah?
What about, LKS put some MCA poster with CSL face on it with Gani Othman, that alone would lose BN votes.
What type of politician, this CSL is? his face is no longer usable, but still want to be president, OMG! malu!
and what a big house he has there. how much?
Come on Dr Chua, prove to us that you are a man! How to win back the Chinese community’s respect for the MCA when it is you who should be contesting against Kit rather than Abdul Ghani? Be as courageous and Lee San Choon who contested against Chen Man Hin and won by a slim majority.
GP is Chinese majority constituency last won by MCA in 2008 GE. That is the best area to find out whether the Chinese community still wants MCA to represent them. The most suitable person to battle with LKS is none other than CSL himself.
GP is Chinese majority constituency last won by MCA in 2008 GE. That is the best area to find out whether the Chinese community still wants MCA to represent them. The most suitable person to battle with LKS is none other than CSL himself.