It was my decision not to contest Gopeng, says Lee Boon Chye

PETALING JAYA: Incumbent Gopeng MP Dr Lee Boon Chye (pic) says it was his decision not to contest in the upcoming 15th General Election (GE15).

"I have chosen not to contest. Tan Kar Hing, who is succeeding me, is the incumbent Simpang Pulai assemblyman and former state exco member," the former deputy health minister told The Star.

Dr Lee was not among the list of PKR's 72 candidates the party unveiled on Friday (Oct 28), prompting speculation that he was dropped.

Other incumbent MPs not in the list were Sungai Buloh's K Sivarasa Rasiah, Petaling Jaya's Maria Chin Abdullah, Datuk Johari Abdul (Sungai Petani), June Leow (Hulu Selangor), Natrah Ismail (Sekijang) and Chan Ming Kai (Alor Setar).

Speculation was also rife that some PKR MPs were dropped due to their alleged pro-Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali stances, which others such as PKR veteran Tian Chua have since denied.