Gerakan president Dr Lim Keng Yaik is luring vice-president Dr Koh Tsu Koon into a trap, claims presidential hopeful Kerk Choo Ting today.

According to him, Lim had been shifting his stance in that 10 years ago he wanted Kerk to take over but now claimed that the grassroots wanted Koh, the current Penang chief minister.

"If he (Lim) really wants Tsu Koon to be president, he should retire now and not say that 'maybe I will retire in 2007 or 2008'. By that time I predict he will say to Tsu Koon 'you wait for a while because the general election is near'," he said.

"I have experienced the same thing. He told me the grassroots still wanted him, he still had to finish his work, the CC (central committee) asked him not to retire ... all kinds of reasons. So this time I hope Tsu Koon is wise enough not to fall into this trap," he added, showing a copy of the Star newspaper dated May 29, 1999 with the headline 'Lim endorses Kerk as next party chief'.

Speaking at a press conference at Putrajaya, Kerk also said Lim could be harbouring the notion of building a political dynasty.

"My view is that he is thinking of perpetual presidency and (creating) the Lim dynasty.

"When I innocently talked about corporate dynasties at a function, I was surprised when he replied the following day that he is not planning a Lim dynasty," he told a press conference in Putrajaya.

Kerk also disputed Lim's statement yesterday that the former had blown his chance of taking over the party in 1995 adding that Lim had always been wary of him.

"When I went to the ground (in the past) to see members at the branches and divisions as well as getting media exposure, I was given the impression of being seen as garnering support against the president."

Leadership transition

He also likened Lim's 'on and off' decision to retire to the tale of the 'boy who cried wolf'.

"Are you sure he is gong to retire in 2007 or 2008?" asked Kerk, who has been Lim's deputy for the past 16 years.

He said Lim, who is also energy, water and communications minister, had practised a divide-and-rule policy besides employing political intimidation and suppression to maintain his grip on power.

"For example, pitting (vice president Dr Koh) Tsu Koon against me. Divide and rule not only exists at the national level but also in the states, divisions and branches. I have received reports on this," he added.

Kerk cited the case of how a Taiping division leader who had questioned Lim's son Si Pin (who was then the Youth treasurer) on certain issues was told by the president 'to shut-up'.

"In conclusion, if you don't support Keng Yaik or ask too many questions [...] watch out, your position is at stake," he said, noting that due to the alleged suppression by the president, the grassroots are afraid to meet him.

On the issue of leadership transition, Kerk said the president has been making unilateral decisions when they should be decided by the delegates.

Kerk also refuted Lim's claim that supporting the former would mean Koh would have to wait for another nine years to be president.

"I have stated that I will retire before three terms. I am not power crazy or position crazy, my purpose is to bring reform and enhance the political culture of Gerakan," he said.

Still popular

He also dismissed the incumbent president's assertion that he was not popular among the grassroots.

"If the grassroots do not want me, I should have been kicked out when I was challenged for the deputy president post in 1999 and 2002. Instead on both occasions, I received more than 70 percent of the votes.

"Are more than 70 percent of the delegates not grassroots?" he asked.

Kerk denied that he is being influenced by vice-president Dr Tan Kee Kwong to challenge Lim.

"Tan is not a ' batu api' . I decided to challenge Keng Yaik after consulting the grassroots and Tan is among the grassroots leaders.

"Tan is fighting out of disappointment and frustration. It's not because he was not given a deputy minister's post but because of frustration and disappointment with Keng Yaik.

"If he was removed because of non-performance, why was he not first given a chance to improve himself? No second chance ... once you cross the president you get the chop," he said.

Present at the press conference were party vice-president Tan and Wanita chief candidate Surin Leong.