Incumbent DAP Teluk Intan parliamentarian M Manogaran will face MIC president G Palanivel in the battle for the Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng announced today.

NONE Lim said, with Palanivel being the MIC president and a federal minister, the famous holiday destination will become a crucial battleground.

DAP vice-chairperson M Kulasegaran ( right ), who was also present, said Manogaran was picked because he has been actively raising issues concerning the Indian community in Parliament.

"He (Manogaran) is the more suitable candidate to go (to Cameron Highlands). He also has more connections on the ground," Kulasegaran told a press conference at the DAP headquarters in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

However, Kulasegaran conceded that it would be a difficult task for Manogaran to wrest Cameron Highlands from the BN.

On another note, Lim ( below ) has said that five incumbent DAP parliamentarians in Kuala Lumpur will remain to contest in their respective seats.

NONE They are Teresa Kok ( Seputeh ), Dr Tan Seng Giaw ( Kepong ), Lim Lip Eng ( Segambut ), Fong Kui Lun ( Bukit Bintang ) and Tan Kok Wai ( Cheras ).

In addition, Lim also announced that Sarawak DAP will be contesting the state’s 13 parliamentary seats.

They are Chong Chieng Jen (Bandar Kuching), Julian Tan (Stampin), Mordi Anak Bimol (Mas Gading), Bob Baru (Lawas), John Anthony Brian (Bintulu), Lim Sui Kien (Miri), Oscar Ling (Sibu), Leon Jimat Donald (Sri Aman), Ramli Malaka (Kapit), Alice Lau (Lanang), Edward Luak (Serian), Andrew Wong (Sarikei) and Hai Merawin (Mukah).   

When asked on whether the party had settled its dispute with PAS about the overlapping claims on Mukah, Lim claimed that the issue had been settled two days ago with the Islamic party.