Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang has called Taiping MP Nga Kor Ming “cocky” for suggesting his departure from the constituency in the coming general election was a cause for the BN party to celebrate.

“I think Nga Kor Ming is too cocky and arrogant. He thinks too highly of himself.

“Gerakan Taiping never celebrated on hearing he is going away.

“In fact, Gerakan Taiping thinks Nga Kor Ming should not run away as he has many unfulfilled promises to the people in Taiping,” said Tan in an email today.

However, he did not elaborate on the MP's purported promises.

The Star Online reported Nga yesterday telling Taiping Gerakan, “Don’t celebrate too soon. Just wait and see what’s going to happen.”

Nga claimed he had received information that Taiping Gerakan was “'overjoyed and has been celebrating with champagne”, according to the English daily, which also uploaded a Youtube video of Nga’s press conference at the Perak DAP headquarters yesterday.

Nga, the DAP Taiping incumbent, is reported to be contesting in Teluk Intan in the coming polls.

He is set to take on Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong, who has indicated he will defend the seat he won from DAP in the 2014 by-election with a razor thin majority of 238.

Tan on Wednesday drew first blood when he likened the move to Nga “running away” from his constituency.

The Gerakan leader meanwhile posted a photo of his Taiping meeting as proof they were not celebrating as claimed.

“This was at our meeting yesterday. No champagne.

“Only discuss on preparation of GE14 Taiping and commitment to help the people in Taiping. We will remain to serve the people in Taiping and won’t run away,” said Tan.

Nga first won Taiping from BN party PPP’s M Kayveas with a 11,298 majority in the watershed 2008 general election.

The DAP Perak chairperson retained the seat with a 11,745 majority against Gerakan’s Tan Lian How in 2013.

Zambry: ‘popularity and experience’

Meanwhile, state BN chairperson Zambry Abd Kadir was reported by Bernama saying BN
will select candidates for the 14th general election (GE14) based on their popularity and experience .

He said even though their names had been shortlisted, the list is still not finalised as various possibilities could happen at this point.

“I have said in principle we have shortlisted their names but they are not final.

"This is because the evaluation of candidates is dynamic and they will be fluid until the final stage before GE14,” he told a media conference after the opening of the first term of Perak Youth State Assembly at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan, Ipoh yesterday.

Zambry who is also Perak menteri Besar said a rating system was also used by Perak BN to assist as well as ensure the candidates representing Perak BN were really competent and could contribute to the party's victory.