'Ghani - from Malay gentleman to extremist'

Incumbent Johor Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman has dropped in the estimation of the DAP’s Lim Kit Siang, who is taking him on for the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat in Johor.

Having initially described Ghani as a “classic Malay gentleman respected for his moderate and rational views”, Lim said he has turned into someone who sounds very much like a Perkasa leader.

“I have no qualms about giving him credit for bringing development and progress to Johor in his 18 years as menteri besar,” Lim told a press conference this morning.

“But he did not sound like himself in his first two pronouncements after nomination day (last Saturday).”

Lim was referring to remarks by Ghani which accused Pakatan Rakyat of attempting to create racial polarisation in Johor, and warning Chinese Malaysians that voting for Lim could result in PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang being appointed prime minister if Pakatan wins the 13th general election.

“Ghani is sounding more like Perkasa (president) Ibrahim Ali and (vice-president) Zulkifli Noordin. What he said is completely contrary to his image as a moderate, rational and level-headed political leader,” Lim said.
 
“Is this the price that moderate leaders have to pay if they are to stay and survive in present-day Umno, whose most powerful leader is not (Umno president) Najib (Abdul) Razak but (former premier Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad)?”

[More to follow]