Boo offers to stand in Iskandar Puteri if Kit Siang steps aside

 

Johor DAP committee member Dr Boo Cheng Hau today said he is willing to contest in the Iskandar Puteri parliamentary constituency, replacing incumbent MP Lim Kit Siang, who is sitting out the upcoming 15th general election.

In a statement today, he expressed gratitude to seven branches and his supporters who proposed that DAP field him in Iskandar Puteri.

“I personally hope that he (Lim) will remain in Iskandar Puteri as he has the best chance of winning among all the Pakatan Harapan leaders,” Boo (above, centre) said.

Boo said DAP elder Lim, who announced his retirement earlier this year, had created a political whirlwind in Johor when he first arrived in 2013 and contested in Gelang Patah, the predecessor of the Iskandar Puteri constituency.

“However, I still respect his personal wishes and the wishes of the DAP central executive committee, and that of the Harapan presidential council.

“If he (Lim) is unwilling to stay, and if I am needed by the party to serve the public, I am willing to once again dedicate myself to serving the people and society.

“I am willing to accept the appointment of DAP and Harapan to stand in Puteri Iskandar,” he said.

In case Lim wishes to stay on, Boo pledged to campaign for the party veteran in the Nov 19 polls.

“I will go all out to campaign for him and become his number one election worker,” said the former Skudai state assemblyperson.

Incumbent Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang

Difficult, but not impossible

Boo believed that veteran leaders such as Lim, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, together with the new leaders in place, would be able to make their way back to Putrajaya.

“Although Harapan is currently at a disadvantage, it still has a good chance to break through. 

“It must combine both the experience and vibrancy of the old, middle, and younger generations, and unite all ethnic groups, communities, genders, religions, and Malaysians of all social standings to bring about a real social reform movement.

“I think Lim can still play a pivotal role both inside and outside of the Parliament, especially when so many senior leaders of allies and rival parties have made known their intention to defend their seats,” he said.

In March, Lim announced his retirement at a party congress, stating that he would not contest for any party position, parliamentary, or state seats in the future.

What of Liew Chin Tong?

Meanwhile, Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong is another potential candidate that the party may field for Iskandar Puteri.

Johow DAP chief Liew Chin Tong

On July 2, Liew, who is the incumbent Perling state assemblyperson, accompanied Lim to attend an event in Iskandar Puteri.

During that event, Liew said he will be contesting in GE15, fuelling speculation that he is aiming for the parliamentary seat.

However, a group of grassroots members has proposed Boo be fielded in the seat.

Boo was a two-term assemblyperson for Skudai, a state constituency under Iskandar Puteri.

In the 2018 general election (GE14), Boo was offered by the party leadership to contest in the Labis parliamentary seat but he declined.

As for Liew, he challenged MCA president Wee Ka Siong in Ayer Hitam in GE14 but lost by a narrow margin. - Mkini