BN gets a DAP boost in Negeri Sembilan

Disgruntled DAP branch leaders have decided to throw their weight behind Barisan Nasional in the coming polls.

TAMPIN: Negeri Sembilan Barisan Nasional will get an unexpected boost come this general election in the form of disgruntled DAP branch leaders in the state.

Seven DAP branch leaders said they have lost faith in the party’s national leadership and decided to throw their support behind BN during the 13th GE.

Speaking at a press conference in Ladang Regent, Gemencheh last night, Ladang Paroi vice- chairman David Dass Aseerpatham said DAP had failed to look after the interest of the Indians as well as hold fresh party elections following the discrepancies in its central executive committee election held last December.

“We will remain as DAP members but will support BN in the GE. We believe it is only a matter of time before we are sacked,” he said.

Aseerpatham was accompanied by Desa Dahlia branch chairman Richard Francis, vice-head Jesu Dason and secretary S Karthiyaini; Ladang Regent vice-chairman M Subramaniam and secretary K Chelvam; and Ladang Paroi branch secretary K Mahendran.

The seven recently lodged several reports with the Registrar of Societies, asking it to investigate the discrepancies in the party elections.

“The national leaders have remained silent although we have raised the issue on the party elections several times,” said Aseerpatham.

He had also questioned why around 700 Indian delegates were not officially invited to the party polls when their votes could have made a difference.

“If we had been told, we believe there would have been more Indians elected to the CEC and not only M Kulasegaran,” he said.

He said the seven had also decided to support BN as they were impressed with the promises made by BN chairman Najib Tun Razak in the coalition’s election manifesto.

“He seems to be sincere in looking after the wellbeing of the Indian community compared to the opposition who said that pledges made in an election were not necessarily promises they intend to deliver once they got to power,” he said.

He said his team will also tour the state and explain to the Indian community why they should support BN.

At the event, the seven branch leaders also received membership forms from BN Indian Supporters Club adviser Mohamad Hafidz Jafelis.

Meanwhile, Negeri Sembilan DAP chairman Loke Siew Fook said he was not surprised with the group’s decision.

“We do not want to waste our precious time with them now. We will take action after the general election,” he said.