Johor DAP vice-chairperson Ong Kow Meng has finally admitted that the party was facing a split under the leadership of Dr Boo Cheng Hau.

Stressing that Boo had promised to resign as state party chairperson after the 13th general election at a state committee meeting on April 7, Kow Meng added that party members would be urged not to nominate him for the state election in October if he failed to honour his word.

The factions were expected to unite with the backing down of the chairperson, he said, hoping that Cheng Hau's successor would be more flexible and capable of making compromises.

However, Boo later clarified on Thursday (April 11) morning that the decision was made out of democratic principles.

“I did not resign as Johor DAP’s chief, but I had planned two to three years ago - after the opening of the Johor DAP headquarters - not to seek a re-election after my third term (eight years) expires this October to set an example of a democratic party," he said in a Facebook posting.

The squabble between Senai assemblyperson Kow Meng and his 'boss' started after he and 16 party divisions moved a motion of no confidence against Boo's leadership.

Meanwhile, Kow Meng said the party leadership's decision to give the Segamat parliamentary seat to Johor PKR chairperson Chua Jui Meng should be respected in order to maintain unity.

- Bernama