MUTINY IN RAUB DAP: Members object to Guan Eng's bid to 'HELICOPTER' in former Najib aide

In an emergency meeting last night, Raub DAP division has resolved to appeal against the party central leadership's decision to field former Umno assemblyperson Mohd Ariff Sabri for the Raub parliamentary constituency.

They want party leaders to reconsider their preferred candidate Tengku Zulpuri Raja Puji Shah, who has been active on the ground for several years.

"We will submit our request through normal procedures to the party central leadership. We hope Tengku Zulpuri (right) can stay in Raub," said Raub DAP chief and Tras state assemblyperson Choong Siew Oon said today.

A meeting with central leadership to discuss the matter, he added, was initially slated for today but delayed due to the dissolution of Parliament this morning.

He said they will try to meet the central leadership before nomination day, which has yet to be announced.

What goes around comes around

The meeting last night, held at Raub, was attended by 50 local leaders at the divisional level.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng had announced on Monday that Mohd Ariff will be fielded in Raub while Tengku Zulpuri will contest in Mentakab, a state seat under Temerloh parliamentary seat.

The announcement caught local DAP leaders and supporters by surprise as Tengku Zulpuri has been doing groundwork in the constituency while Mohd Ariff is a stranger to Raub folk.

Asked how local leaders would react if the party is adamant to field Mohd Ariff, Choong replied, "We will go on (to campaign), it doesn't matter which candidate Pakatan decides on."

However he said local leaders also backed Tengku Zulpuri to contest in Mentakab.

No comment

Meanwhile Tengku Zulpuri declined to comment if he was willing to contest in Mentakab.

"I will follow the state leadership's decision," he said when contacted today.

A party source revealed that Mohd Ariff does not enjoy grassroots' support in the historical gold mining town.

"Everything is in chaos now. Mohd Ariff has never come (to Raub). He will not win the seat," said the source.

Mohd Ariff was Pulau Manis assemblyperson from 2004 to 2008. Between 2000 and 2004, he served as information chief of the Pekan Umno division, which is still helmed by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Better known by his blog title Sakmongkol AK47, Mohd Ariff has been an active political blogger and frequent critic of the Najib administration.

He joined DAP in January 2012, along with veteran Umno member Aspan Alias, creating a dent in Umno's constant efforts to portray DAP as an anti-Malay party.