Deputy Umno president Muhyiddin Yassin welcomed Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon's decision not to contest in the general election, amid accusations by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng that Umno had forced Tsu Koon into doing so.
"“He became party president and a minister. I feel this is not his wish. We respect every opponent. He should be given a second chance. Even if you lose, you can live to fight another day. Even Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh have lost before and came back,” Guan Eng told reporters on Thursday.
Guan Eng took over from Koh as the Penang Chief Minister after the Pakatan Rakyat wrested control of the state in the 2008 general elections. He slammed Umno for its intimidation of Gerakan, adding that "what Umno wants, Umno gets".
We accept
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin - also the Deputy Prime Minister - was quick to accept the decision, saying that the government appreciated Koh's sacrifice,
The 62-year-old Koh announced earlier on Thursday that he would not contest in the 13the general election, widely expected to be held within the next three months but would hold onto all his current positions.
Pundits including PKR vice president Chua Jui Meng said the decision had little impact on BN's chances in Penang in GE-13. Jui Meng also said Koh's decision was not what Umno and Gerakan had wanted, which was for Koh to step down as party chief and to give up the state BN's chair.
Koh has insisted that it was a “personal decision” and he was not under any political pressure.
“No, I am not under any pressure and I will resist any pressure. It is undue and unfounded,” said Koh.
Malaysia Chronicle
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