Koh mum on Johor contest

BENTONG: Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon has declined to comment on speculation that he would contest a parliamentary seat in Johor.


“When the time comes, you will know whether and where I will contest,” he said at the Pahang Gerakan delegates meeting here yesterday.

China Press reported that Dr Koh had given hints to Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak of his intention not to contest in Penang.

The report, quoting sources, said Dr Koh had two choices – to retire from politics or contest in other states including the Simpang Renggam parliamentary seat in Johor, which is considered a Gerakan stronghold.

The daily reported that some people had said Dr Koh and Penang chief Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan had become “liabilities” to Penang Gerakan.

Guang Ming Daily reported that Gerakan Bakri and Gerakan Muar divisions had passed resolutions to support Dr Koh contesting the Simpang Renggam parliamentary seat.

Johor Gerakan chairman Datuk Teo Kok Chee said it would be a good thing for the party if Dr Koh contested in Johor.

Dr Koh also claimed that his critics were attacking him because they could not get what they wanted when he was Penang chief minister.

“Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Tan Sri Tan Kok Pin claimed to be critical of me since 1993 and he even said that he had urged then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to replace me in 1999. But I am still around.

“The reason he kept attacking me was because I rejected his project to develop Penang Hill in 1993,” he said.

Dr Koh added that after his party defeated DAP in Penang during the 1999 general election, two Gerakan assemblymen had defected.

“There is a puppet master behind all this. I shall reveal what happened in 1999 when I return to Penang,’’ he added.