GE14 | Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong has affirmed that he will not be contesting any state seat in the 14th general election, apart from the parliamentary seat of Ayer Hitam.

“I can announce that I will not contest in any state seat. I will only stand in Ayer Hitam and not in a state seat,” he told reporters after concluding a walkabout in Pasar Yong Peng this morning.

Yesterday, Johor Umno information chief Samsol Bari Jamali predicted that Liew would contest in both parliamentary and state seats, to ensure that he could still enter the state assembly if he is defeated in the battle for Ayer Hitam.

“Liew will contest in a state seat, he thinks he is Superman and we are fools. He can win in Kluang, but not in Ayer Hitam,” Samsol told a large BN youth crowd in Parit Londang Darat, which is located within the constituency.

Liew also said DAP will announce its remaining candidates this weekend, but refused to divulge any further details.

Previously, Malaysiakini reported that the DAP central leadership had offered the parliamentary seat of Labis to former Johor chief Boo Cheng Hau, in exchange for him leaving the Skudai state seat he has held for two terms.

If Boo were to take the offer, Mengkibol assemblyperson Tan Hong Pin would have taken his place in Skudai. In turn, the Mengkibol state seat would go to DAP greenhorn Johnson Chew Chong Sin.

However, the plan may yet fall apart with Boo declining to move to Labis, and insisting on defending Skudai.

In Liew’s walkabout today, his campaign team distributed the Pakatan Harapan manifesto and a personal introduction flyer in Pasar Yong Peng, which was warmly received by most.

Some of them even requested for selfie with the DAP lawmaker.

However, a kuih seller complained he would have difficulty choosing between Liew and incumbent Ayer Hitam MP Wee Ka Siong.

“I don't know how to vote, I feel a bit powerless,” he said. In response, Liew only smiled and asked for the voter's support.