Keadilan Youth Penang branch leader Johari Kassim today clarified that his call for the party to compete in all Penang seats in the next general elections is based on the mood and sentiments of party members in the state.

Johari, who was present during a Keadilan Youth branch press conference in Petaling Jaya this afternoon, said he merely expressed the mood of Keadilans northern supporters but added that the final decision to contest will be made by the Barisan Alternatif leadership.

According to Johari, Keadilan is also planning to increase its presence in all Chinese-predominant areas within the state as well.

We also received the full support of PAS Youth in Penang, said Johari.

He was quoted by the New Straits Times daily last Wednesday as urging for the party to field its candidates in all areas that DAP will contest in the next general elections.

Johari also reportedly said the proposal was in response to the DAP decision last September to withdraw from the opposition front, Barisan Alternatif.

Free to compete

When asked, Johari said DAP Penang branch chief Chow Kon Yeow, who is also MP for Tanjong, had assured him that co-operation between the parties will continue despite Keadilan Youths position.

If DAP feels disappointed about our decision, we are always open to discussion, he added.

Johari said the option to compete is open to Keadilan as DAP has withdrawn from the opposition coalition.

He claimed that Keadilan in return had respected DAPs decision not to campaign with the opposition front during last months Indera Kayangan state by-election in Perlis.

In the by-election, Barisan Nasionals Oui Ah Lan defeated Keadilans Khoo Yang Chong with a higher majority but the ruling coalition was said to have suffered a loss of 30 percent of the Chinese Malaysian vote.

Although the DAP central executive committee issued a directive for its members not to stay away from the by-election, several of its members were present in the state to assist Keadilan in their personal capacity.