MCA leaders not happy with Kit Siang's move to Johor

Mar 19: Leaders of MCA have been reacting with scorn the announcement by DAP heavyweight Lim Kit Siang to stand in Johor for the coming polls, in a move which analysts say could spell the end of the Chinese-only party.

MCA president Chua Soi Lek (right) engaged in name-calling, labeling Lim a “hit and run” and “touch n go” politician.

"Serving the people is never in Lim Kit Siang’s dictionary, he contested for the party’s interest and never the people’s interest," said Chua, who even suggested that DAP candidates  should instead stand against UMNO.

"They should fight against Umno heavyweights instead of coming to fight a young and passionate new comer in a Chinese-majority seat," he added.

Chua then turned to his favourite bogeyman of recent times, PAS.

"Lim Kit Siang has never contested to serve the people but for its own political agenda. Now he has also brought in PAS and he is helping PAS to grow in Malaysia," said the former Health minister who vacated his seat in 2008 following his sex scandal captured on video.

Echoing him is his son Chua Tee Yong, the deputy Agriculture minister who replaced his father in the Labis parliamentary seat in the 2008 general election.

The junior Chua's complaint however is the fact that Lim's candidacy had been announced by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim during DAP's 47th anniversary celebration in Skudai, Johor.

"If the celebrations are meant to be a grand occasion for DAP, then should it not be DAP’s top brass which makes the announcement? That would have been appropriate," argued Chua.

While for MCA's organising secretary Tee Siew Kiong, Lim (left) should instead contest against UMNO's Mohd Puad Zarkashi in Batu Pahat, lamenting that the veteran DAP leader had been changing seats "as though he is changing shirts."

In 2008, Lim, one of Malaysia's most prominent opposition politicians, was re-elected as MP of Ipoh Timor with a majority of 21,942 votes.