GE13: I was dropped just two days before nomination, says DAP man

TAIPING: Aulong assemblyman Yew Tian Hoe was informed of his exclusion from DAP's general election line-up just two days before nomination.

Before that, Perak DAP chairman Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham and state party secretary Nga Kor Ming told him several times that he would defend the seat.

“But two days before nomination, two party members told me that I was dropped,” Yew said.

Yew, who is contesting as an independent candidate, said he had ordered banners, flags and shirts on instructions from “the cousins” (Ngeh and Nga).

“I now have over 5,000 pieces of election paraphernalia touting me as a DAP candidate,” he said.

Yew is adamant in contesting despite being given an ultimatum by DAP national leaders to withdraw his candidacy or be sacked from the party.

“If I win, I will still be a Pakatan Rakyat-friendly independent as I have been in DAP for over 30 years and my heart belongs to them,” he said, adding that he was upset but did not harbour ill-feelings toward the party.

Yew said the people had shown great support for him since he be-gan campaigning after nomination day.

“Some voters even held my hand and cried for me. Unfortunately, I have also been the target of smear campaigns through SMSes claiming that I am a skirt chaser and a corrupt assemblyman,” he said.

Meanwhile, PKR vice-president Dr Lee Boon Chye said he advised Yew to withdraw as a candidate but failed to get a response.

Referring to suggestions that Yew could join the party if he won, Dr Lee said the party would not accept him as a member even if he wins as an Independent.

For more election stories, please visit The Star's GE13 site