Liu advises DAP to mitigate losses, keep 'performing' incumbents

JOHOR POLLS | DAP’s Ronnie Liu has advised his party not to drop “performing” assemblypersons ahead of the Johor election as it faces an uphill battle and must mitigate losses.

This comes amid infighting as Johor DAP finalises its line-up for the polls.

Malaysiakini previously reported that several incumbents may not be fielded come nomination day on Feb 26.

This includes Tan Hong Pin (Skudai), Ng Yak Howe (Bentayan), Ee Chin Li (Tangkak), Cheo Yee How (Perling) and Yeo Tung Siong (Pekan Nanas).

They are considered not aligned to Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong.

In a statement, Liu (above) assessed that DAP had opportunities in a crowded field that will see Bersatu, Pejuang, PAS and Umno battle it out for the Malay vote.

These chances, however, are incumbent on a united opposition front and strategic moves.

“DAP should select the best man or woman for the seat and not the best seat for a crony.

“In view of the challenging scenario, DAP should focus and mitigate losses to avoid a total loss,” he said.

“Avoid dropping performing assemblypersons in safe seats to be transferred or ‘promoted’ to another ‘safer’ state seat or (with) a promise of a future MP seat in the 15th general election (GE15) and be replaced by a ‘newbie’ or ‘rookie’.

“This will be a clear recipe for disaster as we run the greater risk of losing both seats,” the veteran politician added.

‘No walk in the park’

Elaborating, the outspoken Sungai Pelek assemblyperson had some choice words for the DAP top leadership.

“Johor is the birthplace of both Umno and MCA and it will be foolhardy for DAP to think it will be a walk in the park.

“Johor has never been a fertile hunting ground for DAP until the old guards like Dr Boo (Cheng Hau) made a breakthrough in 2008.

“Meanwhile, Johoreans like Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, Tony Pua, Teo Nie Ching, Yeo Bee Yin et cetera will make their fame and fortune in Perak, Selangor and Penang,” he remarked.

Liu predicted a low voter turnout especially among young voters who lived in Singapore and had just recently returned for the Chinese New Year festivities.

He also pointed to DAP’s dismal showings in the recent Malacca and Sarawak elections, noting that ground sentiment in Johor was turned against DAP and Pakatan Harapan.

He thus underscored the need to “close ranks” externally as well as internally.

“Take the opportunity to close ranks by bringing back some old guards who are still young, efficient, effective and (were) efficacious assemblyperson before,” he proposed.

Johor will go to the polls on March 12 but many parties have already begun their campaigns.

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