GE14 | Former Johor DAP chief Dr Boo Cheng Hau has urged party leaders who have been charged with corruption to resign.

Contacted later, the incumbent Skudai assemblyperson clarified that he was making a general statement, which was not aimed at anyone in particular.

He added that his statement applied to leaders of political parties, NGOs, guilds and even schools. 

However, the only DAP leader currently facing corruption charges is secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who has described the allegations against him as a conspiracy by BN.

In a press statement earlier, Boo said he told residents in Skudai during a meeting at a coffee shop today that such leaders should step down and not be a burden to DAP.

"I (also) urge the people to uphold the principle of 'Asalkan Bukan Korupt' (ABC) and vote capable people with talent.

"Only then can (our) reform (efforts) be successful," he added.

Boo said he has never betrayed the people or the party, nor has he ever been charged with corruption.

The veteran politician said he was proud that he forked out his own money to hire staff and trained youths in the party.

He also said this principle does not only apply to political leaders but also those who are heading NGOs.

Boo is a two-term Skudai assemblyperson. DAP has replaced him with his protege Tan Hong Pin for the coming general election.

DAP has announced its candidates for all the seats in Johor, except for the Iskandar Puteri (formerly known as Gelang Patah) parliamentary seat, whose incumbent is party strongman Lim Kit Siang.

Previously, Boo had refused the DAP leadership's decision to field him in the Labis parliamentary seat on the grounds that he never had the time to prepare for such a feat.

The incumbent for Labis is MCA vice-president Chua Tee Yong, who is the son of former MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek.

The bad blood between Boo and the DAP leadership has been simmering since Liew Chin Tong, who hails from Selangor, defeated him in the contest for the Johor chief post in 2014.