Kit Siang kicks off northern Johor blitz in final stretch

JOHOR DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang today took a break from his southern Johor campaign and began his northern blitz, as the general election campaign enters its final stretch.

Lim today began his campaign in the parliamentary constituency of Labis and will proceed to Tangkak, Muar town before capping it off in Segamat today.

However, unlike in other major towns, Lim, who is the party’s candidate for Gelang Patah, made four stops in Labis, namely at Chaah, Bekok, Labis town and Tenang.

DAP’s campaigners there had expressed concern that BN’s Labis candidate Chua Tee Yong had poured massive resources into the constituency near the end of the campaign period.

“They put in a lot of money, they’ve even booked several coffee shops so we cannot hold our events there; we can’t match that kind of resources,” said a source.

However, DAP’s Labis candidate S Ramakrishnan hopes that Lim’s blitz can give DAP a boost there, with only three days left to the general election.

‘Labis is different’

“Unlike other places, ending with a mega ceramah is not suitable in Labis because the towns are small and far apart, which is why Lim is helping us to cover four areas,” he said.

While acknowledging that BN’s resources being poured into the constituency has had some effect, Ramakrishnan said he believes DAP still had a good chance to capture the seat.

“The impact is less in Chinese areas but we will need to focus on the Indian and Malay areas in these last days,” he said.

Lim managed to attract between 200-400 people at every stop as he trumpeted Johor’s importance in determining the federal government in this election.

“We are aiming to win Pasir Gudang, Johor Bahru and Tebrau, can we also win Kulai, Kluang, Segamat and Bakri?

“And can we win also here in Labis? And Muar, Batu Pahat and Ledang?” he asked as an optimistic crowd of 300 shouted “Yes” in Labis town.

Lim later told journalists that  Pakatan Rakyat hopes to capture at least nine parliamentary seats in Johor, and if possible, would like at least 13 seats.

Lim declines meeting with Jenice Lee

Lim also weighed in on former DAP Teratai state assemblyperson Jenice Lee’s offer to meet with the DAP supremo.

Lee, who is contesting as an Independent in Teratai after being dropped by the party, had made the request after Lim promised to advocate for her with the disciplinary committee if she were to withdraw from the contest.

“I have already met her, there is no necessity to meet again, she has a right to contest as an Independent.

“But I hope the people will look at the bigger picture and support our DAP candidate against BN,” said Lim.

Lim added that he no longer wished to pursue the matter and it should end as it is.