Manogaran to take on Palanivel

DAP admits that M Manogaran is the underdog but hopes that he would be a giant killer in the battle for Cameron Highlands.

FULL REPORT

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP is fielding incumbent Teluk Intan MP M Manogaran to face-off with MIC president and Minister in Prime Minister’s Department, G Palanivel in Cameron Highlands in the 13th general election.

“We are sending Manogaran as our candidate to Cameron Highlands,” said party secretary-general, Lim Guan Eng in a press conference held at the party headquarters here.

“The question of a parachute candidate doesn’t arise because Palanivel also is not from there.

“He who has better credentials, ideas, ideals, and policies that benefit the people will win,” said Lim.

When asked who would replace Manogaran in Teluk Intan, Lim said that he would announce a new candidate soon.

Party vice-president M Kulasegaran admitted that it would be difficult for Manogaran to take on the MIC chief.

“It is an uphill task. (But) he (Manogaran) is most suitable for Cameron Highlands. He has a lot of connections there. I hope he comes a giantkiller,” said Kulasegaran.

He added that Manogaran also has been at the forefront raising Indian issues.

In an immediate reaction, Manogaran admitted it would be a tough fight and dared Palanivel for a debate on Indian community.

“It would be tough. I appreciate the party’s confidence in me.

“I call upon Palanivel to debate on the issues of the Indian community for the past 55 years, and especially the past five years ,” said Manogaran.

The Cameron Highland seat is traditionally held by MIC.

In 2008, MIC vice president SK Devamany retained the seat with a majority of 3,117 votes against DAP’s J Appalasamy.

This time around Devamany has been moved to Sungai Siput to take on the incumbent Dr D Michael Jeyakumar of PSM.

Lim also announced DAP’s candidates for Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak.

DAP has retained all its incumbents in Kuala Lumpur. They are Teresa Kok for Seputeh, Lim Lip Eng (Segambut), Tan Kok Wai (Cheras), Tan Seng Giaw (Kepong) and Fong Kui Lun (Bukit Bintang).

In Sarawak, only Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen has been retained.

All other 12 seats, DAP is contesting, will see new faces. The candidates are: Mordi Bimol (Mas Gading), Julian Tan Kok Ping (Stampin), Edward Andrew Luwak (Serian), Leon Jimat Donald (Sri Aman), Wong Ling Biu(sarikei), Alice Lau Kiong Yieng (Lanang), Oscar Ling Chai Yew (Sibu), John Brian Anthony Jeremy Guang (Bintulu), Hai Merawin (Mukah), Ramli Malaka (Kapit), Lim Su Kien (Miri) and Baru Langub (Lawas).

Teoh Nie Ching in Kulai
Meanwhile in Johor, DAP will contest in six parliamentary and 14 state seats. As previously expected, incumbent Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching has been moved to Kulai parliamentary seat.

The Serdang seat will be contested by new face Ong Kian Ming, who is DAP’s political analyst, taking on MCA’s veteran leader Yan Pian Hon.

Teo will take on MCA’s Tay Chin Hein  in Kulai. The seat was won by former MCA president Ong Ka Ting in 2008. He has been dropped by the party this time round.

Kulai has 56% of Chinese voters, the highest in the southern state.

DAP has also dropped three of the four incumbent DAP state assemblymen in Johor, namely Bentayan assemblyman Gwee Tiong Hiang, Mengkibol assemblyman Ng Lam Hua and Senai assemblyman Ong Kow Meng.

They were replaced by Chua Wee Beng (Bentayan), Tan Hong Pin (Mengkibol) and Wong Shu Qi (Senai).

The only incumbent retained was Johor DAP chief cum Skudai assemblyman Boo Cheng Hau.

The party has also not announced its candidate for the Labis parliamentary seat although early talks had indicated that former DAP senator P Ramakrishnan would be given the nod.

These are the DAP candidates in Johor:

Parliament
1.      Labis – to be announced
2.      Bakri – Er Teck Hwa
3.      Kluang – Liew Chin Tong
4.      Gelang Patah – Lim Kit Siang
5.      Kulai – Teo Nie Ching
6.      Tanjung Piai – Mahdzir Ibrahim

State
1.      Jementah – Tan Chen Choon
2.      Bekok – Lim Eng Guan
3.      Tangkak – Ee Chin Li
4.      Bentayan – Chua Wee Beng
5.      Yong Peng – Chew Peck Choo
6.      Penggaram – Gan Peck Cheng
7.      Mengkibol – Tan Hong Pin
8.      Paloh – R. Shanker
9.      Johor Jaya – Liow Cai Tung
10.   Stulang – Chen Kah Eng
11.   Pengkalan Rinting – Cheo Yee How
12.   Skudai – Boo Cheng Hau
13.   Senai – Wong Shu Qi
14.   Pekan Nanas – Yeo Tung Siong

Ex-DAP MP goes independent
In another develeopment, DAP’s incumbent Seremban MP John Fernandez has decided to contest as an independent for the seat after being dropped by the party.

He will be joined as an independent by lawyer S Karthigesan who will be contesting in Senawang.

Fernandez had won the Seremban seat in 2008 b ydefeating Barisan Nasional’s Yu Chok Tow by a 3,948-vote majority.

DAP has not announce its candidates for both Seremban and Senawang.