PKR Parliamentary Line-Up Surprises; Lingam Video Clip Maker Loh Gwo Burne in Kelanja Jaya; Lawyer Wee Choo Keong in Wangsa Maju; DAP woes in Penang

It looks like PKR is catching on the popularity & exposure of the Lingam Viedo Clip players to win in two seats in the coming GE. The maker of the clip Loh Gwo Burne is standing in Kelana Jaya most probably at the behest of his father Loh Kim Fah. And the other lawyer Wee Choo Keong is abandoning his MDP and the Bukit Bintang seat he had won before as an MP and trying his cahne in Wangsa Maju. With the winds of change blowing in the direction of the opposition everywhere, they might give the BN opponents a close fight and take away the seats

Meanwhile in Penang the state DAP Party Chief Chow Kon Yeow reported great difficulties in securing places to have the ceremahs and threatened to have them "on the streets" as a last resorts. This might encounter problems in getting the Police permits 2 days in advance. If the police are following orders and rules they can sabotage the DAP street ceremahs by saying that the venues are not appropriate and their demands that request must be made 2-days in advance might be difficult to follow given the scarcity of venues and DAP sympathizers

Also there was a bit of DAP drama in Penang when its legal adviser Rayer complained of marginalization of DAP Indian Candidates in Penang - another infighting cropping up. The leadership of veteran Karpal Singh (BELOW, briefing newsmen) solved the situation when Rayer retracted his accusations in the afternoon

= == === == == = == ==

Lingam Tape 'personalities' enter the electoral battles

Llew-Ann Phang and Regina William, theSUN

PETALING JAYA (Feb 22, 2008): The heat of the damning Lingam Video Tape which is embarrassing the judiciary has extended to the March 8 electoral battles. Loh Gwo Burne, (ABOVE, standing at the urging of his rich father) who claimed to have filmed the video clip, was today named as Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)'s candidate in the Kelana Jaya parliamentary seat. He faces MCA's Datuk Lee Hwa Beng, the incumbent Subang Jaya assemblyman.

Malaysian Democratic Party (MDP) secretary-general and Lawyer Wee Choo Keong (ABOVE Right) who represents lawyer V.K.Lingam’s brother, V. Thirunama Karasu, in the Lingam Video Tape Royal Commission of Inquiry is also contesting on a PKR ticket in the Wangsa Maju parliamentary seat. He is locked in a battle with MCA's incumbent Wangsa Maju MP Datuk Yew Teong Look. Announcing the full list of PKR's parliamentary candidates for Peninsular Malaysia, PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali said Loh, a businessman with a as a Master degree, has a good chance of winning in Kelana Jaya. Wee was a former DAP leader and Bukit Bintang MP. He quit DAP and formed MDP after a bitter internal power struggle. As expected, PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s eldest daughter Nurul Izzah will try to be a "giant slayer", contesting in Pantai Dalam against Woman, Family and Community Development Minister and Wanita Umno deputy chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

Anwar’s wife and PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan (ABOVE Top) Ismail is defending her Permatang Pauh, the only seat the party held in the 2004 general election. It was also Anwar seat. Syed Husin said the selection of Nurul Izzah (ABOVE Below) was due to the ground support for her and not because of Anwar.
He said the full list of state candidates would be revealed by the party state liaison committees tomorrow. PKR is contesting 66 parliamentary and 126 state seats in the peninsula. "There will be one-to-one fight against the Barisan Nasional (barring the entry of Independents). This shows that the opposition parties can work together,” said Syed Husin.

He said said 24% of the parliamentary and 32% of the state seats are contested by non-Malays. "Anwar expects the party to win 25 to 30 parliamentary seats," he said. The party contested in 47 parliamentary and 72 state seats in 1999, and 48 parliamentary and 104 state seats in the last general election.
Other PKR leaders in the electoral line-up are:
Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim - secretary-general (Bandar Tun Razak)
Azmin Ali - vice-president (Gombak)
William Leong - treasurer (Selayang)
R. Sivarasa - vice-president (Subang)
Tian Chua - information chief (Batu)
Dr Lee Boon Chye - vice-president (Gopeng)
Zuraida Kamaruddin- Wanita chief (Ampang)
Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin - Youth chief (Dungun)

PKR's list of parliamentary candidates in Peninsular Malaysia:
KANGAR - TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN BIN TUNKU ISMAIL
LANGKAWI - WAN SALLEH BIN WAN ISA
ALOR STAR - GOOI HSIAO LEUNG
KUALA KEDAH - AHMAD BIN KASIM
MERBOK - RASHID BIN DIN
SUNGAI PETANI - JOHARI BIN ABDUL
PADANG SERAI - GOBALAKRISHNAN A/L NAGAPN
KULIM - BANDAR BAHARU - ZULKIFLI BIN NOORDIN
KETEREH - ABDUL AZIZ
TANAH MERAH - to be confirmed
MACHANG - SAIFUDDIN NASUTION BIN ISMAIL
DUNGUN - SHAMSUL ISKANDAR @ YUSRE BIN MOHD AKIN
KEMAMAN - MOHD FARIZ BIN ABD. TALIB @ MUSA
TASEK GELUGOR - to be confirmed
PERMATANG PAUH - WAN AZIZAH BINTI WAN ISMAIL
NIBONG TEBAL - TAN TEE BENG
BAYAN BARU - ZAHRAIN MOHAMED HASHIM
BALIK PULAU - MOHD YUSMADI BIN MOHD YUSOFF
BAGAN SERAI - MOHSIN FADZLI BIN HAJI SAMSURI
PADANG RENGAS - ALIAS BIN ZENON
SUNGAI SIPUT - DR. JEYAKUMAR
TAMBUN - MOHAMAD ASRI BIN OTHMAN
GOPENG - LEE BOON CHYE
TAPAH - TAN SENG TOH
PASIR SALAK - MUSTAFFA KAMIL BIN AYUB
LUMUT - SUWARDI BIN SAPUAN
BAGAN DATOK - MADZI BIN HASAN
TANJONG MALIM - MOHAMAD AZMAN BIN MARJOHAN
INDERA MAHKOTA - AZAN BIN ISMAIL
KUANTAN - FUZIAH BINTI SALLEH
PAYA BESAR - MOHD JAFRI BIN AB RASHID
PEKAN - KHAIRUL ANNUAR AHMAD ZAINUDDIN
TEMERLOH - AHMAD NIZAM BIN HAMID
BENTONG - PONUSAMY A/L GOVINDASAMY
SABAK BERNAM - ABDRULAMIN BIN BAHRON
HULU SELANGOR - ZAINAL ABIDIN BIN AHMAD
SELAYANG - WILLIAM LEONG JEE KEEN
GOMBAK - MOHAMED AZMIN BIN ALI
AMPANG - ZURAIDA BINTI KAMARUDDIN
PANDAN - SYED SHAHIR BIN SYED MOHAMUD
KELANA JAYA - GWO BURNE LOH
PETALING JAYA SELATAN - HEE LOY SIAN
SUBANG - SIVARASA A/L K. RASISAH
KAPAR - MANIKAVASAGAM A/L SUNDARAM
KUALA LANGAT - ABDULLAH SANI BIN ABDUL HAMID
BATU - CHUA TIAN CHANG
WANGSA MAJU - WEE CHOO KEONG
SETIAWANGSA - IBRAHIM BIN YAACOB
LEMBAH PANTAI - NURUL IZZAH BINTI ANWAR
BANDAR TUN RAZAK - ABDUL KHALID BIN IBRAHIM
KUALA PILAH - ANNUAR BIN HOMD SALLEH
REMBAU - BADRUL HISHAM BIN SHAHARIN
TELOK KEMANG - KAMARUL BAHARIN BIN ABBAS
TANGGA BATU - ZAINON BINTI JAAFAR
BUKIT KATIL - KHALID BIN JAAFAR
JASIN - ZULKEFLY BIN OTHMAN
SEKJIANG - ZULKAPLY BIN SALLEH
LEDANG - LAU TEK HAI
MUAR - NAH BINTI BUDIN
SRI GADING - ALI BIN MARKOM
BATU PAHAT - MUHAMMAD BIN ABDULLAH
SEMBRONG - LEE SANG
PENGERANG - NORAZAN BIN ABDULLAH
PASIR GUDANG - MD RIZAN BIN MOHD SAMAN
GELANG PATAH - ZALIHA BINTI MUSTAFA
PONTIAN - MOHD ANNUAR BIN MOHD SALLEH

= == == == ==
'Penang DAP may be forced to take to the streets'

GEORGE TOWN (Feb 22, 2008): Penang DAP says it may be forced to take to the streets as there is a lack of response from the government and private property owners refusing to rent out their premises to the party for ceramah. Its state chairman Chow Kon Yeow said this was a major stumbling block to the party as ceramah and talks were DAP’s main channel for messages to voters.

Chow said: "Over the past few days, we have tried very hard to get (venues in) government and private-owned buildings, like association halls including Dewan Sri Pinang, the KOMTAR Geodesic Dome and the association halls in the city.
"They provided us with available dates but sang a different tune when we probed them on payment and explained the purpose for rent."They told us they did not want to rent out their space for political activities during this period," he said.

Seeing as the doors are shut on us, he added, we will have no choice but bring it to the streets. Acknowledging that this would result in inconvenience, including traffic congestion, Chow said: "We do not want this to happen."

He made an appeal to DAP supporters and sympathetic organisations which have open or big premises with space, including car park owners to offer their assistance on the issue.

Chow also asked for volunteers to come forward to help the party as it fights against Barisan Nasional (BN)’s heavy election machinery, and later officiated at the opening of the Bukit Bendera DAP operations centre. Also present was its candidate DAP elections strategist Liew Chin Tong who declined to speculate on his chances against Gerakan secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye.

“It’s an honour to fight such a senior member of Gerakan and I thank the party for the honour. I do not want to speculate on my chances or on the voters’ decisions because anything can happen in politics. “I am here to humbly seek a mandate from the people and be their agent of change. I am not here to seek personal gain,” he told reporters. He said: "The choice is left to the voters to decide whether they are satisfied with what they have seen in the past years or if they want stronger check and balance within the government."

Liew also expressed concerned over the state’s political dominance, citing that by 2010, Penang will turn into a "second Sabah". "Gerrymandering will see unprofessional appropriation of voters within constituencies and Penang will be an Umno state by then.

"We want Penang to change this by denying Barisan Nasional the two-thirds majority to ensure that the Election Commission will not be able to redraw the boundaries and thus put a stop to Umno’s political juggernaut and preserve Penang’s passion for democracy," he added.

= == == == = ==
Flip flopping Penang DAP legal adviser

PENANG (Feb 22, 2008): In the morning he accused the DAP of marginalising Indian leaders. In the afternoon, he called another press conference to retract his accusations and apologised to the party. The "stunt" was performed by Penang DAP legal adviser, lawyer R.S.N.Rayer, today. Rayer had threatened to contest either the Perai or Bagan Dalam state seats on March 8 as an Independent. MIC is fielding L.Krishnan in Perai to replace Datuk K.Rajapathy who won the seat after defeating DAP's Chong Eng by a 583-vote majority while Bagan Dalam incumbent P Subbaiyah will stand again. Perai has 35.52% Indian voters while Bagan Dalam has 21.79% Indian voters and many hopefuls have been clamouring to contest the seat. Rayer, 36, who claimed he has been offered the Datuk Keramat seat said the DAP should listen to the grassroots who wanted Indian leaders to be fielded there. He claimed that the voters in Perai wanted Professor P.Ramasamy to be fielded there while Bagan Dalam voters wanted him.

He said the party is planning to field Chong Eng in Perai and lawyer A.Tanase-kharan in Bagan Dalam. He said Professor P.Ramasamy, who is being fielded in Batu Kawan should be fielded in Perai as he would stand a better chance to win the seat. "I will decline the nomination if the party still fields me in Datuk Keramat. After considering the sentiments on the ground who want a strong Indian candidates to be fielded in Bagan Dalam and Perai, I am seriously considering contesting in either of these two seats as I stand a better chance than Chong Eng," he added. Rayer said if the party failed to listen to the voices of the grassroots and proceeded with its plans, he would quit the party which he joined in 1995.

ABOVE & BELOW: The triple handshake that signifies the deal amongst Chow, Karpal and Rayer

"I joined the party because I believed the party could champion the rights of all Malaysians regardless of race and religion but the decisions made by the state leadership has been unacceptable," he added. Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow, when asked about Rayer's accusations, said he has not directly received any information. "We are still finalising the line-up (for the state seats) and will be announcing it soon. It is not easy to please all parties and we cannot field candidates in places they want.
"We have to take certain decisions due to strategy and to ensure winnability."We have been trying our very best to avoid three-cornered fights and hence we even negotiated with Parti Keadilan Rakyat to achieve this objective. "We definitely do not want any individual participating to mar our chances but it is their democratic right to do so," Chow added. He called on DAP hopefuls to put the party's political interest over personal interest and hinted that any member going into the elections as an individual candidate, would be sacked from the party.

Later, in a very short but sombre emergency press conference Rayer retracted his announcement that he would contest as an independent for the Perai state seat. In the press conference attended by DAP chairman Karpal Singh and Chow, Rayer said: "I deeply regret the statement I made this morning. I unconditionally retract my statement and apologise for it." He said Karpal Singh, whom he holds as his Godfather in the party, had intervened and following that, issues – which had nothing to do with the party’s refusal to appoint him as the Perai candidate - were resolved. However, Karpal Singh was quick to add that Rayer had been indeed offered a state seat but it will be the party’s decision as to which constituency he would be fielded in. “This morning, Rayer, a staunch member and supporter of DAP, was overtaken by emotion and gave a press conference. It was because he was in that state of mind that he announced that he would contest as an independent candidate in Perai because he felt that Indians in the DAP were marginalised.
“The Indians are not marginalised. They have never been marginalised. I am an Indian, I am the chairman,” Karpal Singh said, before giving Rayer the floor. Asked if the "drama" would have an impact on voters, he said: “I don’t think it will really have any substantial effect. We will advice and explain to the voters." "Of course the Brisan Nasional will try to exploit this but this is human failing, it is human weakness. In the spur of the moment, he reacted to what he felt,” Karpal Singh said, also revealing that four – two on the island and two on the mainland – out of the 19 state seats would feature Indian candidates.
“I think it is a matter of strategy to field Indian candidates where there is a substantial number of Indian voters. There is nothing racial to it. When we announce the list tomorrow, you will see that Indians are not being marginalised,” he added. DAP is announcing its state seat candidates at 1pm in the Grand Continental Hotel on Lebuh Presgrave.
On Batu Gajah’s incumbent Fong Po Kuan's change of heart in deciding to contest, Karpal Singh said she had contacted him through telephone on Wednesday (Feb 20), after reading his plea for her to be in touch with him.
“I am very happy that she’s back. She was very emotional but I told her to reconsider her decision. I did not expect it (change of heart) because she was adamant that she did not want to recontest but she is badly needed by the party. We are encouraging the young who are taking over from us,” he said, adding that Fong is an asset to the party with her qualifications and her command of languages.“All the matters have been settled ... Bagan, Po Kuan and Rayer. We are now ready to do battle with the BN," he added.

= == = == == =
'Cilli Padi' Po Kuan makes a U-Turn

PETALING JAYA (Feb 22, 2008): An elated DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang announced today incumbent Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan has agreed to reverse her decision not to seek re-election in the 2008 general election.

“With Po Kuan's return to the front-line of the battle, let us make up precious lost ground and enter into the 12th general election campaign with gusto and confidence, vigour and vitality,” he said in a statement. Fong, who is dubbed "Cilli Padi", shocked politicl observers when she announced on Monday (Feb 18) that she would not seek re-election, citing internal party conflicts. Lim said, however, one could not deny the fact that Fong’s action had caused harm and damage to herself, the party and the cause for justice, although she had not intended to.
“She has admitted to the great harm and that her action had unintentionally and unwittingly caused to the party, party leaders and the political momentum for change in the 12th General Election ... and she asks for the party and people's forgiveness for her mistake,” he said. “She has now bounced back to the front-line of the "Electoral Battle of the Century" and will re-constest and defend the Batu Gajah parliamentary seat.” Lim said in the discussions with Fong, they agreed to look forward and not backward to challenge the Barisan Nasional component parties.

Updated: 08:40PM Fri, 22 Feb 2008

= == Go H E RE for more details & pics on

MORE PICS from Ipoh – U Turn for Po Kuan to join “Electoral Battle of the Century” – to end BN its unbroken 2/3 majority by defending Batu Gajah- there had never been a second name for the DAP candidature for Batu Gajah again.

MCA Line-up – 12 GE 2008 – 16 incumbents & 22 New Hopefuls; Soi Lek’s Labis - son Tee Yong; Kong Choy’s Selayang - Lee Li Yew; Ka Chuan -Tanjung Malim

MCA Line-up – 12 GE 2008 – 16 incumbents & 22 New Hopefuls; Soi Lek’s Labis - son Tee Yong; Kong Choy’s Selayang - Lee Li Yew; Ka Chuan -Tanjung Malim; Ling Hee Leong - Gopeng

Noticeable not on the Line-up are veterans Datuk Chua Jui Meng, Datuk Yap Pian Hon, Datuk Ting Chew Pei, Datuk Loke Yuen Yow - not among the contestants and are replaced by new comers. The Labis seat held by former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek is taken over by his second son Chua Tee Yong 31. And the seat held by deputy president, Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy, the Transport Minister (not contesting for health reason) is slated for MCA Selayang Youth Chief Lee Li, a master degree holder. Other prominent names in the list are Datuk Ling Hee Leong, son of former party president Tun Ling Liong Sik will make his electoral debut in Gopeng and MCA secretary-general Datuk Ong Ka Chuan ( BELOW) replacing Datuk Loke Yuen Yow for the Tanjong Malim.

February 22, 2008 02:08 AM

MCA President Moves To Kulai, End Of The Road For Deputy Chief

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- MCA, the second largest Barisan Nasional (BN) component party, retained 16 incumbents and unveiled 22 new faces to contest for Parliament on a day overshadowed by the exit of its deputy president, Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy. Chan, who is also Transport Minister, said he was opting out for health reasons and had raised the matter with party president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting eight months ago. "Health is the primary reason. I have conveyed to the prime minister (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) and he has asked me to give it a serious thought before making the final decision. However, I'm firm about that (not to contest)," he told a packed press conference attended by more than 200 journalists from various media.

Chan (ABOVE, Left with tongue out listening to the praises from his boss) , who was accompanied by Ong and other party leaders to the press conference, will remain as deputy president until the next party election expected to be held by the end of this year. When asked by reporters, Chan denied that he was under pressure not to contest because of the Port Klang Free Trade (PKFZ) issue. Ong said Chan’s name was submitted to the prime minister but Chan himself said he would not run even if Abdullah gave his approval for him to contest. Ong, the Housing and Local Government Minister, believed that Chan's decision would not affect the partys showing in the election. "We are confident. We are going to face this election as a solid and complete team. This (decision by Chan) would not dampen our spirit. We have done what we can and we have to respect his decision," he said. As in the previous polls, the MCA would field candidates for 40 parliamentary seats. But veterans Datuk Chua Jui Meng and Datuk Yap Pian Hon are not among the contestants.

Ong(ABOVE) will move to stand in in Kulai, leaving the Tanjung Piai seat, which he won in 2004, to his former political secretary, Wee Jeck Seng to contest. Chua Tee Yong, the second son of former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr

Chua Soi Lek, was a surprise inclusion among the new faces. Tee Yong, (ABOVE) 31, an accountant, will stand in his fathers constituency of Labis in Johor. Datuk Ling Hee Leong, son of former party president Tun Ling Liong Sik, will make his electoral debut in Gopeng.

MCA Selayang Youth Chief Lee Li Yew (BELOW) will also take to the polls for the first time, replacing Chan in Selayang.

The incumbents retained are vice-presidents Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn (Alor Gajah), Datuk Ong Tee Keat (Pandan), Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai (Petaling Jaya Selatan), Wanita chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen (Raub) and Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai (Bentong), Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory chairman Datuk Tan Chai Ho (Bandar Tun Razak), Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Fu Ah Kiow (Kuantan), Wanita MCA deputy chief Datuk Paduka Chew Mei Fun (Petaling Jaya Utara), Federal Territory parliamentary secretary Datuk Yew Teong Lock (Wangsa Maju), former Deputy Home Affairs Minister and Central Committee member Datuk Chor Chee Heung (Alor Setar), Teh Ah Eng (Gelang Patah), Wee Ka Siong (Air Hitam), Wong Nai Chee (Kota Melaka, Teng Boon Soon (Tebrau) and Datuk Kong Cho Ha (Lumut).

Ka Tings elder brother and party secretary-general Datuk Ong Ka Chuan,has been given a second chance to contest this time after losing in Batu Gajah in 2004. Ka Chuan replaces Datuk Loke Yuen Yow for the Tanjong Malim contest while Datuk Dr Lee Chong Meng gets another shot in Bukit Bintang. A new face among the MCA contestants is the energetic MCA Beliawanis bureau chief Carol Chew Chee Lin, 27, who is also the confidential secretary to Deputy Finance Minister, Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen. Chew will take on DAP's Teresa Kok in the Seputeh parliamentary seat in Kuala Lumpur.
The other first timers in the parliamentary seats contest are Penang MCA Wanita chief and lawyer Ooi Siew Kim (Bayan Baru), Chinese affairs expert Dr Hou Kok Chung (Kluang) Tay Pooi Chuan (Bakri), former Balakong state assemblyman Hoh Hee Lee (Serdang).

Eight state assemblymen will switch from state to parliamentary seats.
They are Selangors Datuk Ch'ng Toh Eng who will stand in Klang, Penangs Datuk Koay Kar Huah in Bukit Gelugor, Kedahs Boey Chin Gan in Padang Serai, Negeri Sembilans Datuk Yew Chai Tiam in Rasah, MCA Wanita secretary-general Datuk Yu Chok Tow in Seremban and four-term Subang ya state assemblyman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng in Kelana Jaya, Datuk Yik Phooi Hong (Ipoh Barat)and Datuk Lee Chee Leong (Kampar). he remaining new faces are Ong Tang Chuan (Bukit Mertajam), Song Choy Leng (Bagan), Liew Mun Hon (Ipoh Timur) and Cheah Yoke Can (Batu Gajah).

= == == = =
Thursday February 21, 2008; MYT 9:03:00 PM

12 new faces for MCA; By LEE YUK PENG; STAR

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting announced the MCA line-up at Wisma MCA here on Thursday evening, saying that 12 new faces and 10 incumbent state assemblymen made up 55% of the new line-up for the parliamentary seats. The two veterans who made a comeback were Dr Lee Chong Meng who would be defending his Bukit Bintang seat and former state executive councillor Datuk Ong Ka Chuan, who would be contesting in Tanjung Malim. The 12 new faces are Carol Chew (Seputeh), Dr Jeffrey Goh (Cheras), Chua Tee Yong (Labis), Tee Puay Chuan (Bakri), Dr Hou Kok Chung (Kluang), Ooi Siew Kim (Bayan Baru), Sharon Song Choy Ling (Bagan), Ong Tam Chuan (Bukit Mertajam), Ling Hee Leong (Gopeng), Liew Mun Hon (Ipoh Timur), Cheah Yoke Can (Batu Gajah) and Lee Li Yew (Selayang).

The 10 state assemblymen who will be contesting for parliamentary seats are Boey Chin Gan (Padang Serai), Koay Kar Huah (Bukit Gelugor), Yik Phooi Hong (Ipoh Barat), Datuk Lee Chee Leong (Kampar), Datuk Hoh Hee Lee (Serdang), Datuk Lee Hwa Beng (Kelana Jaya), Datuk Ch'ng Toh Eng (Klang), Datuk Yu Chok Yow (Seremban), Datuk Dr Yeow Chai Thiam (Rasah) and Wee Jeck Seng (Tanjung Piai).

= == = == == == = ==
February 22, 2008 02:04 AM
BN Manifesto Not Just To Attract Voters, Says Ka Ting

PETALING JAYA, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- The Barisan Nasional (BN) manifesto is more than a mere document to draw the attention of voters, MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said Thursday. Unlike the manifesto of opposition parties, it is a document that outlines the continuity of the BN government's long-term policies to ensure national development and the wellbeing of the people, he said. Ong, who is the Housing and Local Government Minister, called on the people to give the mandate to the BN in the March 8 general election to ensure a bright future for the nation. He spoke at a dinner in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration at the Civic Centre here. More than 10,000 people attended the function. Also present was Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr

Mohamad Khir Toyo. Khir, in his speech, said the people should be rational when voting for their candidates in the general election. He said they should be wary of the sweet promises made by the opposition political parties.
= == = ==

Thursday February 21, 2008; MYT 9:20:41 PM
Kong Choy not seeking re-election (updated)
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy on Thursday announced that he would not seek re-election in this general election. Chan cited health reasons for his decision, but refused to elaborate on what ailed him. He stressed it was personal. He will, however, stay on as the party deputy president; and more importantly - he will diligently carry out his duties as chairman of the party's general election national steering committee. "I made the decision some eight months back. I had conveyed my intention to party president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting back then. I could not announce it sooner because I am the chairman of the general election steering committee and I had a lot of duties to perform.

ABOVE: Sick Chan stepping down not because of PKFZ

"I had to make sure everything was in place first and wait for a suitable time. Today is the suitable time," he said, speaking at a packed press conference Thursday evening at the Wisma MCA here. Chan, 53, has been an MP for four terms. He was first elected as the Tanah Rata state assemblyman in 1986 and has served in various party capacities including MCA Youth chief and vice-president. The Bentong-born Chan entered the political foray when he joined MCA at the age of 25. After a five-year stint as a university lecturer, Chan became political secretary to the late health minister and MCA vice-president Tan Sri Chan Siang Sun in 1986 and moved up the ladder until he became the present MCA deputy president.

= == = == == = ==
February 21, 2008 14:23 PM MCA To Unveil Candidates' List Today

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 21 (Bernama) -- The MCA will unveil this evening its list of candidates for the general election as speculation heightened that deputy president Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy will call it quits after 28 years in politics. MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting has scheduled a press conference at Wisma MCA at 5pm after his return from a Chap Goh Meh event in Pekan Nenas, Pontian, said an aide to Ong. An aide to Chan said the Transport Minister may hold a press conference this afternoon before the parties candidates are announced ahead of nomination day on Sunday. Chan is the incumbent MP for Selayang. The MCA president met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, yesterday to finalise the candidates. The MCA, the second major component of the BN, captured 31 of the 40 parliamentary and 76 of the 90 state seats it contested in the last general election in 2004.

Thursday February 21, 2008
MCA No 2 may announce his decision on contest today

By WONG CHUN WAI and WONG SAI WAN
newsdesk@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: With the MCA scheduled to announce its list of candidates tomorrow, speculation is rife that MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy is still unsure whether he would contest in the general election. It is learnt that the Transport Minister is seriously considering withdrawing from the race for health reasons and that he had already conveyed his plans to party leaders. Until 1.30 this morning, the Pahang politician was still huddled with his aides and supporters to talk about his plan but it is understood that he may announce his decision today.

Chan: A former UPM lecturer, he joined MCA at age 25 He spent the late afternoon meeting with party members and attended a dinner at the Rasah New Village in Seremban but left no indication on the talk about his political future. Chinese dailies reported on the front pages of their evening editions yesterday that Chan, who is the incumbent MP for Selayang, would withdraw from the polls on medical grounds. Chan and party president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting could not be reached for response to the speculation by the vernacular press. Party sources said Chan had already conveyed his decision to the party leadership, adding that Chan had been told that “it is up to him to decide”. They added that there was no need for Chan to rush to make a decision as the nominations would only be on Sunday and that “anything could happen between now and Sunday”. A close friend of the former Universiti Pertanian Malaysia lecturer said Chan had talked about his wish to step down “for the past few months” but he had persuaded him to continue. On Aug 29 last year, his press secretary Ng Kok Wai said in a statement that Chan had gone on a two-week leave due to health reasons. The statement said he needed to go abroad for a medical check-up and consultation and that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had approved the leave.

On Sept 12, he reported for work after the medical check-up in Australia, quashing rumours that he had resigned. Chan said he managed to spend more time with his family while in Australia but declined to disclose details of his medical condition, saying it was “personal”. Chan, 53, has been an MP for four terms. He was first elected as the Tanah Rata state assemblyman in 1986 and has served in various party capacities including MCA Youth chief and vice-president. The Bentong-born Chan entered the political foray when he joined MCA at the age of 25. After a five-year stint as a university lecturer, Chan became political secretary to the late health minister and MCA vice-president Tan Sri Chan Siang Sun in 1986 and moved up the ladder until he became the present MCA deputy president.

DAP Penang Battle Royal - Prof Dr Ramasamy against Dr Koh Tsu Koon; DAP Troubles – Pahang Chief Resigns ALL & Not Contesting; Persuaded as Chief

The Big fight in Penang will be in Batu Kawan Parliamentary Seat where Dr Koh(ABOVE) is pitched against Prof Ramasamy both were academics.
ABOVE: The new DAP faces at the back: Jeff Ooi (Left) & Liew Chin Tong

Latest: February 21, 2008 16:27 PM

DAP To Field Three New Faces For Penang Parliamentary Seats

PENANG, Feb 21 (Bernama) -- Three new faces will be among the seven DAP candidates who will contest the parliamentary seats here on March 8. Its secretary Lim Guan Eng said the party was confident of victory. "This is the first time the party has named the candidates early because we want to start work fast," he told a press conference here today.

The new faces are :-
Jeff Ooi (Jelutong),
Prof Dr P. Ramasamy (Batu Kawan) against Dr Koh Tzu Koon and
Liew Chin Tong (Bukit Bendera).
Lim Guan ENG will contest in Bagan,
Karpal Singh in Bukit Gelugor against MCA's Datuk Koay Kar Huah
Chong Eng in Bukit Mertajam and
Chow Kon Yeow in Tanjung.
= == == = == == == == ==== =

Guan Eng to lead DAP charge in Penang; Regina William, Llew-Ann Phang and Pauline Puah

ABOVE: Karpal Singh & Lim Guan Eng and BELOW: DAP big guns in Penang

PENANG (Feb 20, 2008): DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng today announced that he is leading the party into the March 8 General Election in Penang - ending months of speculation. Guan Eng also postponed announcing the party state line-up for the parliamentary seats in the state because one candidate, Professor P.Ramasamy, was absent. The DAP is planning to contest seven parliamentary and 19 state seats in Penang. Also present in the press conference were party veteran Lim Kit Siang, party chairman Karpal Singh, Wanita chief and deputy secretary-general Chong Eng, state chairman Chow Kon Yeow, DAP strategist Liew Chin Tong, blogger Jeff Ooi, incumbent Bagan MP Lim Hock Seng and incumbent Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Boon Poh.

Penang DAP's parliamentary line-up looks almost a sure bet with Chong Eng defending Bukit Mertajam, Chow defending Tanjung and Karpal Singh switching from Bukit Gelugor to Bagan on the mainland.
Guan Eng is expected to contest in Karpal Singh's Bukit Gelugor while Ooi is likely to stand in Jelutong, Liew in Bukit Bendera and Ramasamy in Batu Kawan. Guan Eng said his decision to contest in Penang is to lead the people's movement of change from Umno's political dominance towards a functioning democracy with check and balances.
"Due to the prominence of Penang to the DAP as a front-line state, both Penang DAP and the party central executive committee (CEC) stressed on the importance of featuring a strong line-up of professionals and mix to reflect the seriousness of the 2008 General Election to Penangites," said Guan Eng. He said the people of Penang must ensure the DAP win at least 14 state seats to deny BN its two-thirds majority.
"The DAP is even willing to support Gerakan in the state assembly to ensure the Penang Chief Minister's post does not fall to Umno," Guan Eng said.

Kit Siang, who celebrated his 67th birthday yesterday, made a wish while cutting his cake in the press conference. When asked what he wished for, Kit Siang said it was related to March 8. "Ask me on March 8 and I will tell you if it came true."

On speculations that he is moving to Bagan and this had upset supporters of four-term Bagan MP Hock Seng and incumbent Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee, Karpal said: "We are trying to resolve the problem." Both their supporters have vowed to boycott the general election Hock Seng and Phee are moved.
Karpal Singh said: "It's really not an issue. I do not know why it went to the press, it is not quite right. It 's not a problem actually and should not be an issue. I never said I was going there and the party will decide."
= = ===== == == = == == ==

Pahang DAP chief resigns all party posts (updated)
By SIM LEOI LEOI and CECIL FUNG; Wednesday February 20, 2008; MYT 8:56:26 PM
BENTONG: In a dramatic about turn, Pahang DAP chief Lip Tuck Chee tendered his resignation, only to withdraw it four hours later. In an interview earlier at his house, Lip, who cited party infighting and the jostling of state seats among hopefuls as the main reason for his decision, had said that it was "no use."
However, after a phone call around 8pm by party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Lip agreed to remain as state chief until the general election was over. This drama came in the wake of the decision by Batu Gajah incumbent Fong Po Kuan not to defend her seat and days before nomination on Feb 24.

"He advised me to remain because the general election is so near although I have said that I would not change my mind. "But I will continue with my plan to resign as chairman of the committee for elections and will not stand in the election as a candidate," he said. Lip had drafted and faxed a two-page resignation letter in Chinese around 3.30pm on Wednesday.

= == == = == = ==

February 20, 2008 23:08 PM

Pahang DAP Chairman Resigns

KUANTAN, Feb 20 (Bernama) -- Pahang DAP chairman Lip Tuck Chee is reported to have relinguished his post. His resignation later was faxed to the offices of Chinese newspapers in Pahang Wednesday. When Bernama sought his comment on the matter, he said: "I will explain at the appropriate time." Sources said Lip resigned because the party's national leadership had rejected his recommendation for the Triang state seat election.

They said Lip nominated state DAP secretary Choong Siew Onn to contest for the seat but the national leadership wanted the incumbent, Leong Ngah Ngah, to stay on.

Leong, who is Pahang DAP deputy chairman, became the only candidate from the party who won in the state in the 2004 general election when he beat Barisan Nasional's Tan Ah Been by 605 votes.

= = == == == = == ==

Pahang DAP chief quit all party posts

PETALING JAYA (Feb 20, 2008): Pahang DAP chief Lip Tuck Chee has quit from all party posts due to internal jostling for seats with nomination day drawing closer. “I feel very disappointed,” he said, adding that his decision is final.

“The candidates for the Pahang seats have been decided but there was a jostle for the Teras assembly seat that has been assigned to me,” he said, adding that he rejected another offer from the party to contest in a parliamentary seat. It is learnt that Lip, who was initially allocated the Teras state seat, had to give it up to Choong Siew Onn who was also the DAP candidate in the 2002 Ketari state by-election. He had contested in six general elections and two by-elections since 1978 but lost in all. DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng declined to comment on the matter as he had yet to look at the resignation letter.

= == == == == == = == tentative DAP Line-up in Selangor

SELAGOR DAP

In PETALING JAYA, Selangor DAP chairman Au Yong Hian Wah said yesterday the party is contesting four parliamentary and 16 state seats.

In a press conference to announce its state election manifesto yesterday, Au Yong declined to reveal the state's list of candidates. Speculation is that he would be contesting in the Seri Kembangan state seat. It is also learnt that the party is eying the parliamentary seats of Petaling Jaya Utara (PJU), Serdang, Puchong and Klang. DAP lost all the four parliamentary seats it contested in 2004 and secured only the Sekinchan (Ng Swee Lim) and Sungai Pinang (Teng Cheng Kim) state seats. It contested in 17 state seats. Focus is expected to be on the party’s rising star, DAP secretary-general’s economic adviser Tony Pua, who will take on incumbent Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun (BN-MCA) in PJU. Barring last minute changes, DAP chairman Karpal Singh’s son, lawyer Gobind Singh Deo, is slated to contest in Puchong against incumbent Lau Yeng Peng (BN-Gerakan).

In Serdang , DAP is expected to field 27 year-old woman lawyer Teo Nie Ching. The incumbent Serdang MP is MCA’s veteran Datuk Yap Pian Hon who is widely speculated to be replaced by incumbent Balakong assemblyman Datuk Hoh Hee Lee. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) activist Charles Santiago is likely to be DAP's choice in Klang but a last minute change may see Teng being fielded. Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo had confirmed MCA’s state liaison chief Datuk Ch’ng Toh Eng as BN's candidate for Klang, unceremoniously replacing incumbent Datin Paduka Dr Tan Yee Kew (International Trade and Industry parliamentary secretary). Ng and Teng have been tipped to defend their state seats.

Incumbent Seputeh MP Teresa Kok while defending her parliamentary seat, is now expected to also contest in the Kinrara sate seat.

Other seats that DAP are vying are: Pandamaran (Ronnie Liu), Kota Alam Shah (Peter Tan), Subang Jaya (Hannah Yeoh), Kampung Tunku (Lau Weng San), Damansara Utama (Dr Cheah Wing Yin), Bukit Gasing (Edward Lee), Rawang (M.Batumalai), Kuala Kubu Baru (K.A Ramu), Teratai (Janice Lee Yong Ha), Balakong (Yap Lum Chin), Sungai Pelek (A.Sivananthan) and Telok Datuk (Philip Tan).

The Selangor DAP’s election manifesto was modified from the party’s national election manifesto with a motto “Just Change it!”.
Au Yong urged the voters in Selangor to just change it for:
> Safer streets;
> Lower Costs;
> Quality Education;
> Clean Government and
> Stronger Opposition

= == == = Background
Thursday February 14, 2008
DAP rockets into Penang eyeing seven parliamentary seats

By LIM AI LEE; STAR

PENANG: The stage is set for a battle royal in Penang. For Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon who has announced his intention to move to the federal level, a seat swap is on the cards. A party insider said a proposal has been submitted to the state Gerakan liaison committee for Dr Koh to swap his Tanjung Bungah seat for the Bukit Bendera parliamentary seat held by Gerakan secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye. He dismissed speculation that Dr Koh would contest the Batu Kawan parliamentary seat or a seat in Selangor, adding that the acting party president need not move out of his base as Gerakan had won Bukit Bendera by 10,717 votes in the 2004 general election.

Pep talk: Former state exco member Datuk Khor Gark Kim (second from right) chatting with Penang DAP leaders at his house Wednesday. Meanwhile, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who is leading the opposition party's campaign in Penang, is likely to contest the Bukit Gelugor parliamentary seat on the island while national party chairman Karpal Singh will move over to Bagan in Seberang Prai, another opposition stronghold. It is also learnt that Guan Eng is likely to contest the Paya Terubong state seat, which the MCA won by 1,392 votes in 2004. A DAP source said the party would not let Guan Eng be sacrificed in an area where he could lose. Karpal Singh declined to comment on whether he would seek re-election in Bukit Gelugor but would only say that the seat was “not personal to holder”.

In Bukit Gelugor, Guan Eng will face the MCA's Datuk Koay Kar Huah, a state exco member. Koay, a three-term assemblyman, will not be re-contesting the Seri Delima state seat, paving the way for a new MCA face, businessman Loh Nam Hooi. Other “rocketmen” planning to launch their political debut in Penang are blogger Jeff Ooi, who is tipped to stand in Jelutong, political scientist Prof Dr P. Ramasamy in Batu Kawan and party strategist Liew Chin Tong in Bukit Bendera – all parliamentary seats. The state MCA is fielding seven new faces, including three women.

Among those who have received the green light to seek re-election are Lee Hack Teik (Pengkalan Kota), Datuk Lim Gim Soon (Kampung Kolam), Datuk Lau Chiek Tuan (Berapit), Tan Cheng Liang (Jawi) and Ooi Chuan Aik (Bagan Jermal) who are all noted for their good service records. The new faces include state Wanita chief Ooi Siew Kim, lawyer Sharon Song and municipal councillor Teh Lay Cheng.

State DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the party was eyeing three more parliamentary seats in addition to retaining its four parliamentary seats. It is also targeting six state seats apart from the Sungai Puyu seat which it won in 2004.

Gerakan holds three parliamentary seats and 13 state seats while the MCA won one parliamentary and nine state seats in Penang four years ago.

= == = =and DAP in Perak

DAP to contest 7 parliament, 18 state seats in Perak
Pauline Puah, Regina William, Jonathan Chen, K.Letchumy Tamboo and Llew-Ann Phang ; theSUN

PETALING JAYA (Feb 19, 2008): DAP will be contesting seven parliamentary and 18 state seats in Perak in the March 8 general election. DAP veteran leader Lim Kit Siang told theSun the seven parliamentary seats are Ipoh Timur, Ipoh Barat, Batu Gajah, Taiping, Beruas, Kampar and Teluk Intan. DAP will also contest all the nine state seats in the Kinta Valley - Canning, Tebing Tinggi, Pasir Pinji, Bercham, Kepayang, Buntong, Jelapang, Menglembu and Tronoh. Other state seats that DAP would be contesting are Pokok Assam, Aulong, Jalong, Pantai Remis, Malim Nawar, Keranji, Setiawan, Pasir Bedamar and Sungkai.

Earlier, seat negotiations between DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) were in a stalemate as PKR was also keen to contest some state seats in the Kinta Valley. It led to a war of words between leaders of both parties, to the point that both parties had to prepare for three-cornered fights if the negotiations failed. it Siang said he and PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had in a joint press conference today announced both parties’ commitment to avoid three-cornered fights. DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and PKR vice-president Dr Lee Boon Chye were also present in the press conference.

In 2004, Lee who had been active in Ipoh Timur had to give way to Kit Siang and contested in Gopeng where he was defeated. Lee, when contacted, said the party will be announcing the seats it is contesting once its negotiations with PAS are finalised. “We will announce the list in a day or two,” said Lee who is expected to go for Gopeng again.

On whether there would be a three-corner fight in Jalong state seat since Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) which would contest under PKR’s ticket also expressed its interest to contest the seat, Lee said: “We will sort that out later.” PSM had announced that it would rather go for a three-cornered fight if DAP refused to let go of the Jalong state and Sungai Siput parliamentary seats. In the 2004 general election, PSM contested on a PKR ticket as it is unregistered, and DAP fought in a three-cornered fight for the Sungai Siput seat held by MIC president Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu.

Samy Vellu won with a majority of 10,349 votes while PRM's Dr D.Jeyakumar polled 8,680 vote and DAP’s P.P.Samugam garnered 2,890.