Ghani in Gelang Patah shows Umno fears Kit Siang
The proposal by Umno to pit its Johor chairperson Ghani Othman against Lim Kit Siang in Gelang Patah shows that the DAP veteran is a major threat to them, says a party official.
The proposal by Umno to pit its Johor chairperson Abdul Ghani Othman against Lim Kit Siang in Gelang Patah shows that the DAP veteran is a major threat to Umno, says a DAP official.
"That is why they are sending their biggest gun to the seat," DAP national publicity secretary Tony Pua (
right
) said.
Pua admitted that Gelang Patah has never been a safe seat for the DAP and it was deemed risky to send Lim there in the first place.
But the gambit was deemed necessary for Pakatan's attempt to topple the BN-led Johor government.
Pua conceded that the possible fielding of Ghani could be a two-edged blade, as his moving there in what is already a BN stronghold presents a clear and present danger for Lim.
On the flip side, though, it also showed that Lim was considered to be a credible threat for Umno and BN to adopt such a measure.
Asked to comment on the possibility that this would also be an exit strategy for Ghani who has been Johor menteri besar since 1995, Pua said it is possible.
Speculation that Ghani would step down has been going around for some time and if he wins Gelang Patah, he would move back to Parliament. He had once served as youth and sports minister.
Ghani (
left
) is one of the longest-serving MBs thus far, superseded only perhaps by Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud.
Lim had announced his intention to move away from his safe seat of Ipoh Timor, along with several senior DAP and PAS leaders, to spearhead Pakatan's foray into the southern BN stronghold.
Lim had expressed confidence in capturing at least several state and parliamentary seats in the south of Johor but is hoping to sweep more seats in the rest of the state and perhaps even help establish Pakatan government there.
Meanwhile, Johor PKR chief Chua Jui Meng has described the call by Umno to field Ghani in Gelang Patah as an internal strife aimed at ending the latter's political career.
"The division within Umno is well-known not only in Johor, but everywhere else.
"It is very obvious that they (Johor Umno) don't want Ghani anymore," Chua told a press conference at PKR headquarters.
Related stories
Ghani counterstrike could 'paralyse' Kit Siang
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.