The decision to replace incumbent Gerakan state assembly representative for the Canning seat in Perak Hew Yew Can has angered his supporters, who now threaten to switch over to the opposition.

The 61-year-old lawyer was replaced by political newcomer Vincent Hooi, who is the party's state Youth secretary.

It is speculated that the veteran was being sidelined by several state Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders, including Tajol Rosli Ghazali, over his alleged failure to toe the party line on several issues.

It is learnt that Hew's supporters have sent a petition bearing hundreds of signatures to the Gerakan leadership and menteri besar to protest the move

In the1999 general election, the Gerakan leader won the seat with a 2,696 vote majority against DAP candidate V Sivakumar. Hew obtained 11,158 votes as opposed to Sivakumar's 8462.

Support's move

However, the politician refused to comment on rumours that he was axed due to differences over matters pertaining to the local council in the past two years.

"I didn't encourage my people to send the petition," he said when contacted.

On the contrary, Hew stressed that he fully supported the party's decision to make way for young professionals.

Meanwhile, Gerakan Perak chief Chang Ko Youn described the decision as being part of the political process.

"Sometimes we need to give way to new candidates and professionals. It does not mean that a candidate is no good. In fact, Hew has been a very hardworking wakil rakyat," he told malaysiakini .

However, he claimed that the party's main objective of injecting new blood into its leadership took priority.

"We see the elections as a chance to train them," said the Gerakan leader.

On the threat by Hew's supporters and their petition, Chang said these were not something to be concerned about.

He added that it was "quite common" for grassroots supporters to express their unhappiness over decisions made by the leadership.

'Good job'

Despite the nonchalant attitude adopted by the Gerakan leadership, Hew's supporters said their threat was no laughing matter.

According to one supporter Ong Kian Tong, the politician has some 300 hardcore supporters and this does not include their spouses.

"We have supported him in the last two elections. If Chang leaves him out, we will switch camps," he said.

He added that Gerakan's excuse of wanting to field younger candidates did not make sense as the party has selected equally senior politicians to run in other states.

"Something must be very wrong. If he has been doing a good job, then why change?

Also peeved with the change was local MCA leader Chong Hong Sow, who heads the party's Kampung Simee branch (located in the Canning constituency).

He said Hew had done a lot of "good work" for the people in the area, which included opposing the billing of Ipoh residents for sewage treatment by Indah Water.

According to Chong, BN leaders in Ipoh Timor - whose incumbent is MCA's Thong Fah Chong - have benefitted from Hew's work in the area.

Canning is a state seat under the Ipoh Timor parliamentary constituency.

Local resident Ernest Balasingam said Hew's removal was likely due to his refusal to be beholden to his party.

"When there was a wrong he would address the issue. He never played party politics, and was one man who went to the grassroots and really looked at the problems for what they are," he added.

Balasingam is a committee member of a city hall shadow group called Ipoh City Watch.