Renegade DAP leader meets voters despite party ban

comments     Susan Loone     Published     Updated

Defying orders from his superiors for the second time in seven months, renegade DAP leader Goh Kheng Huat today visited voters in Anak Bukit, Kedah, who will cast their ballots for next Thursday's by-election.

When met however, the member of parliament for Nibang Tebal, denied that he was campaigning for PAS — DAP's ally-turned-foe.

"I do not support PAS but I am here in my personal capacity to explain to Chinese voters about the current political scenario in this country so that they know who to vote for," he said.

The DAP leadership had resolved not to help PAS campaign for the Anak Bukit state and Pendang parliamentary by-elections which be held on July 18.

Party life adviser Chen Man Hin warned members last week that those found helping PAS in the campaign would be punished.

The parties, once allies in the opposition front Barisan Alternatif, saw their relationship strained over PAS' aim to establish an Islamic state.

The conflict finally led to DAP exiting the front.

Show-cause letter

In January, Goh defied a party order and campaigned for another BA party, Keadilan, in the Indera Kayangan by-election in Perlis.

DAP did not support the Keadilan campaign because it said that such a move would be interpreted as backing PAS' Islamic state stand.

Goh was slapped with a show-cause letter and cautioned over his action.

Meanwhile, Goh today stressed that he totally opposed Barisan Nasional but reiterated that he did not support PAS either.

He said the Chinese community in Anak Bukit finds it difficult to support the Islamic party because of its theocratic goals.

The DAP leader added that there were few issues of concern for the community in Anak Bukit and Pendang apart from the vision school project.

The by-elections were called following the death of PAS president Fadzil Noor on June 23, more than two weeks after he underwent a heart-bypass surgery.

PAS is fielding Dr Mohamed Hayati Othman in Pendang against BN's Othman Abdul and Amiruddin Hamzah to take on Zakaria Said in Anak Bukit.



Malaysiakini
news and views that matter


Sign In