Johor DAP has denied that it intends to appoint a non-Muslim menteri besar if Pakatan Rakyat comes to power in the state, as alleged by MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek.

chua soi lek debate lim guan eng The state DAP chief Dr Boo Cheng Hau, who is also the state opposition leader, told a press conference at Tangkak, Johor, yesterday that Chua’s ( right ) allegation is a “wild and irresponsible statement with a smack of racial connotation”.

He questioned Chua’s integrity, claiming that the latter has made contrasting statements before Chinese and non-Chinese crowds.

“Chua has himself previously through the Chinese press questioned as to why DAP let go Perak menteri besar post to PAS’ Nizar Jamaluddin despite the fact that DAP has a large number of seats within PR itself.

“Chua purportedly ignores the fact that it was Perak sultan’s prerogative to appoint Nizar from PAS as the menteri besar then among three Pakatan candidates, including Perak DAP chief Ngeh Koo Ham,” he said.

Boo stressed that DAP respects the constitutional framework that was laid down by Umno, MCA and MIC themselves at the time of independence where in all nine sultanate states, the menteri besar must be a Malay Muslim unless assented by the sultan.

Stop harping on racial sentiments

“By repeatedly attacking DAP for letting Nizar as Perak menteri besar then, Chua himself has purportedly ignored the fact that Nizar was assented by Perak sultan to be the menteri besar at that time in accordance with the prerogative provided by the state constitution,” he said.

Hence, he urged Umno to state its stand as to whether Chua’s consistent questioning of the appointment of Nizar should be viewed as an insult to Malay rulers’ prerogative under the constitution.

“For Johor Pakatan, our major concern is how we can bring the most socio-economic benefits for Johoreans.

“I urge Chua to stop harping on racial sentiments himself by focusing more on policy debate,” he added.

Concluding his statement, Boo reiterated that it is never a controversy within Pakatan as to who shall be the next Johor menteri besar.

“Johor DAP will support the best candidate for the menteri besarship proposed by Johor Pakatan and Pakatan national leadership.”