Johor polls: DAP to decide on allowing incumbent reps to defend seats

KLUANG: DAP will decide if it would allow two of its incumbent assemblymen, Tan Hong Pin (Skudai) and Ng Yak Howe (Bentayan) to defend their respective seats, says secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

"That will be considered. Anyone can make demands, that is their rights but in the end, we will get a report from the state committee and the central executive committee to make a final decision," he said.

It was reported that on Jan 31, the two assemblymen had informed state DAP chief Liew Chin Tong of their wish to defend their respective seats in the coming state polls.

Meanwhile, some 59 DAP branches and seven of the party's youth division had also issued a statement urging the party to maintain its incumbent assemblymen.

The group claimed that they have learned that half of the 14 assemblymen that had previously won GE14 in Johor would not be defending their seats in the upcoming Johor polls.

When asked to comment on the statement, Lim said that the group's demand would be considered by the party.

"Those are suggestions from the branches, of course we will give space for them to give their views and this shows that democracy is still alive in DAP.

"However, we would wait for recommendations from the party's state committee before we make any final decision.

"We will consider the views from all quarters," he said after announcing that incumbent Paloh assemblyman Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali would be defending his seat in the upcoming Johor polls.

Two of the 14 incumbent assemblymen have announced their intention to retire on social media.

The two assemblymen are Jementah assemblyman Tan Chen Choon and Yong Peng assemblyman Chew Peck Choo.

In GE 14, DAP contested 14 state seats in Johor and won all of the seats contested.