Irked by 'still need daddy’s help' jibe, Soi Lek points at Kit Siang

GE15 | His predecessor and successor, Ong Tee Keat and Liow Tiong Lai, are contesting in the general election but former MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek is hitting the campaign trail for his son.

Chua Tee Yong is contesting the Labis parliamentary seat in Johor, which he inherited from his father in 2008 but was defeated in his bid to retain it for a third term in the 2018 polls.

The DAP incumbent Pang Hok Liong has criticised his opponent for roping in his father to boost his chances.

However, Chua (above) said there is nothing wrong with helping his son, pointing out that, unlike other fathers, he has wide political experience.

“DAP is always attempting to create something out of nothing to mislead the people. It is an attempt to divert attention,” he told Malaysiakini.

Telling Pang not to be “envious” that his opponent has an influential and experienced father, he said: “I am not the candidate, but I am unlike the fathers of others. I have plenty of political experience.

“It is my right to use this experience and network to help any candidate I want,” he added.

Chua also denied “introducing” his son to the voters, saying: "He is going on his own and I am going on my own."

The former MCA leader also claimed that DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang is helping his daughter Lim Hui Ying, who is the Pakatan Harapan candidate for the Tanjong parliamentary seat in Penang.

“Why didn’t Pang raise this? Why is Kit Siang doing this? Because this is one of the values of Chinese families,” he added.

Describing Pang as someone “too junior” for him to lock horns with, Chua advised the DAP candidate to refrain from personal attacks.

“I don't criticise (DAP secretary-general) Anthony (Loke) and (DAP chairperson Lim) Guan Eng, we have had healthy debates (in the past). After that, we are good friends, don't be personal," he said.

In one of his ceramah, Pang had criticised Tee Yong for still needing his father’s help despite being an MP for two terms and former deputy minister.

Apart from BN, the DAP candidate will also be defending his seat against Perikatan Nasional’s Alvin Chang.

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