DAP, MCA tussle over appointment of Johor seats coordinators

The appointment of state constituency coordinators in Johor recently has become a tussle between the DAP and MCA.

According to the appointment on Aug 9, there were only two MCA representatives among 27 opposition constituency coordinators, namely Teoh Yap Kun (Paloh) and Ang Boon Heng (Stulang).

Thus, Johor DAP Chief Liew Chin Tong (above) suggested that BN or Perikatan Nasional give fewer seats to MCA for the next general election.

In his statement on Facebook yesterday, he claimed that the chances for MCA to contest in Johor have “ended” as MCA supported the Sheraton Move and the form of PN government.

“On Aug 9, Johor Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad announced 27 names as the coordinators for the state opposition seats. To put it simply, the constituency coordinator is the prospective candidate for the upcoming election.

“Among the 27 constituencies, there were 15 seats contested by MCA in 2018. Now only Paloh and Stulang are represented by MCA and the rest were allocated among Umno, Pas and Bersatu,” Liew said.

He further claimed that MCA could secure most of its traditional seats in Johor if there was no Sheraton Move.

However, the political coup has brought three Malay-based parties into a coalition and therefore, the parties have insufficient seats to contest.

“The only option is to eliminate MCA earlier, barring them to contest,” claimed the former defence deputy minister.

However, Liew’s presumption has been slammed by Johor MCA youth chief Ling Tian Soon.

Ling clarified that the constituency coordinator does not equal to an election candidate and therefore, Liew should stop confusing the public by specious arguments.

Liew should evaluate the failure of DAP in believing the former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad rather than scrutinising MCA, as Mahathir was the main reason why the Pakatan Harapan government collapsed, said Ling in a statement yesterday.

“I think Liew is a politician with a great imagination. He always liked to link those irrelevant matters with politics and created his political script,” he said.

Ling, who is also the political secretary to MCA president Wee Ka Siong, reminded Liew that MCA does not need advice from Liew about their future.

Meanwhile, Liew has responded to Ling and described the latter statement as “self-deception”.

“MCA supported Sheraton Move. In return, PN made Johor MCA from 15 seats into two seats, even Yong Peng under Wee’s parliamentary constituency (Air Itam) has also strategically ‘pawned’,” he added. 

 - Mkini