Gelang Patah Umno division chief Mohd Khairi Malek has questioned the reason behind Lim Kit Siang still maintaining his voting address in Penang.

“This gives the impression that he wins and flees (to another constituency). As it is, he has not served the constituents in Gelang Patah,” he told Malaysiakini.

Although his voting address does not affect his candidacy, Mohd Khairi said the DAP veteran should have changed it to a Gelang Patah address since he has been an MP for one term.

“But he does not want to change his address nor serve his constituents,” he added.

Lim won the Gelang Patah seat in Johor in the last general election after defeating former state menteri besar Abdul Ghani Othman.

Prior to the 2013 general election, the DAP leader was the two-term MP for Ipoh Timor in Perak.

At a press conference earlier, Mohd Khairi said Gelang Patah Umno was not behind the banners, which have been strung up in the town, mocking Lim.

He claimed that the banners could have been put up by locals who are upset over the possibility of Lim contesting a different seat in the next polls.

“The banners are not from us.

“But we also will produce our own banners with our (Umno) logo to say goodbye to him and to say our thanks that he is leaving the constituency,” he was quoted as saying by Berita Daily.

One of the banners read, “It's been a long way without you my friend, so I’ll vote you out when I see you again ” while another stated, “Sorry, Uncle Kit Siang, we are not Rihanna, we don’t love the way you lied.”

Meanwhile, Mohd Khairi urged the voters in Gelang Patah not to cast their ballots for DAP in the next general election.

“I believe another outsider will contest here, possibly a Malay from Kelantan who has already started campaigning here. But it will be the same like Lim because he is not a local,” he said.

Though he did not mention names, it is believed that Mohd Khairi was referring to former law minister Zaid Ibrahim, who is a DAP member.

In March, Lim said his first choice would be to defend his Gelang Patah seat, but also did not rule out the possibility of contesting in Alor Setar, Kedah.

Malaysiakini has contacted Lim regarding his voting address and is awaiting his response.