Guan Eng: We may lose Batu Gajah

The abrupt withdrawal of two-term Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan from the DAP election line-up will hurt the party and affect its overall performance, said secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

"It has hurt not only DAP politically, but also caused pain and sorrow (due to) baseless allegations hurled by the BN-controlled mass media that DAP wanted to force Fong out of her seat," he said in a statement today.

On Sunday, Fong said she had written to Lim claiming that internal problems in DAP Perak had hampered her performance as a elected representative and that she would not seek re-election.

Lim clarified today that Fong had never mentioned that she was "forced to give up" Batu Gajah in order to contest another seat.

"She made the decision not to re-contest after I had informed her the day before that she would definitely be re-nominated for the Batu Gajah seat," he said.

"There is total unanimity at all levels from the Perak and national (party leadership) that she is the best and only choice for the Batu Gajah seat. This explains why the party is still trying to get Fong to reconsider her decision to re-contest."

Lim added that he had tried to meet Fong in Ipoh yesterday, but had not succeeded. However, Fong today said emphatically that she would reconsider her decision to opt out in her blog.

"I am unable to reconsider my decision of not to contest in this coming 12th general election. I am sorry if I have disappointed you," she told readers in her 'Chamber of Thoughts' blog.

In a separate message to Penang voters, Lim said they should vote for the DAP in order to prevent Umno from carrying out its plan to claim the chief minister’s post one election from now.

Explaining, Lim said Penang voters need DAP’s presence in the state assembly to deny BN a two-thirds majority, as this would allow the coalition to amend the state constitution in favour of a redelineation exercise.

"Umno will demand these additional seats to facilitate its design of capturing the Penang chief minister’s post by 2013," he claimed.

Penang will become the battleground for both the opposition and BN during the polls on March 8.

A change of chief minister is the only certainty at present, given that Gerakan acting head Dr Koh Tsu Koon has stated his intention to switch to a parliamentary seat.