In an unprecedented move, a branch of the Selangor DAP has named an ‘acting candidate’ in Kota Alam Shah until party leaders agree on who to field in the state seat.

The DAP Kota Alam Shah branch is not happy that the party has yet to announce a candidate, and its move is calculated to apply pressure on the central committee.

At a press conference held in Klang yesterday, the branch ‘unveiled’ its chairperson Lim Lip Suan as the ‘acting candidate’. Usually, the list of candidates is determined by top party leaders.

The seat is held by Gerakan's Ching Su Chen.

Vice-chairperson Goh Chin Ooi and secretary Tan Sie Yie ( photo ) warned that the DAP’s delay would send out a dangerous signal to supporters.

“DAP Kota Alam Shah wants all voters to know that we are a responsible political party which takes the general election very, very seriously. (We don’t believe in) last-minute chaos (or in making) potentially irreversible blunders,” said Goh.

He claimed that the Simpang Lima branch, located in the Kota Alam Shah constituency, is in support of Lim’s candidacy. However, its representatives were not at the press conference.

The Taman Gembira branch has yet to declare its stand.

Goh said a candidate should have the minimum attributes of “right education, right vision and unwavering courage in the face of great odds”.

“We, the branch, have decided not to help other candidates with campaigning,” he said in reply to a question.

“Under Lim’s great leadership, Kota Alam Shah done a good job in organising a lot of grand events over the past years.”

Goh disclosed that the branch has recommended Lim as candidate to the party and met with Selangor chairperson Ean Yong Hian Wah, but has not received a reply to date.

Likely candidate?

Lip Suan, when approached by journalists at another event earlier, said he would not disappoint his supporters.

He admitted that he had applied to be the candidate of Kota Alam Shah a few months ago, but that there has been no response.

“The political seceratary of the DAP secretary-general (Lim Guan Eng) informed me about a month ago that he (Guan Eng) is busy with the Penang election preparations. So, he has no time to think of other things.”

Lip Suan ( photo ), 35, joined DAP in 2000. He was the former secretary and chairperson of DAP Klang Utara and former vice-chairperson of DAP Socialist Youth Selangor. He is currently the political secretary to Selangor Opposition Leader Teng Chang Khim.

According to party sources, top leaders have decided to field Selangor vice-chairperson Peter Tan, 47, in the Kota Alam Shah seat.

However, grassroots supporters are unhappy with their choice because his academic qualifications are apparently not strong enough.

When contacted, Peter disclosed that he had applied last April to contest the seat, but that the party has not made a decision.

“Guan Eng said this is not the right time to announce (a candidate). Lip Suan can do anything he likes, but the final decision will be made by the central committee.”

He dismissed the claim that he is not good enough as a candidate because of his educational background.

Citing the examples of former deputy prime minister Ghafar Baba and Port Klang state assembly person Zakaria Mohd Deros, he pointed out that they had been acceptable to Umno.

‘Zakaria only studied up to Standard 3, while Ghafar Baba was a primary school leaver. My father wasn’t able to support my studies, but knowledge can be acquired,” he pointed out.

“Furthermore, in Malaysia, as long as you can speak the national language, then you can address the legislative assembly.”