Parti Cinta Malaysia’s Huan best bet for Bukit Gelugor polls, says Utusan

In an article published in its weekend edition, Mingguan Malaysia, its columnist Awang Selamat praised Huan as among some of the Chinese leaders who had consistently exposed and criticised the DAP-led state government in Penang.

"His bravery has captivated the public while some Barisan Nasional component parties continue to be lethargic. What is wrong in recognising the contributions and commitment of such an NGO leader?


"Supporting the best candidate can also be considered as 'a victory' besides sending its own message," said Awang Selamat, which is the pseudonym for the Malay language newspaper’s collective editorial team.

He said the by-election was not solely a question of winning or losing but could be used to gauge the state government and the opportunity should not be wasted.

He also said he was not shocked by MCA's decision to stay out of the by-election as the party would not be able to create an upset since the seat was a DAP stronghold.

"MCA has to be realistic and make a smart move, regardless of the interpretation," he added.

Awang Selamat also questioned whether DAP ally PAS would take disciplinary action against its member, Mohamed Nabi Bux, who had offered himself as a candidate in the by-election to help the party to implement hudud in the northern state.

"Awang does not see why Nabi should be punished as he was only fighting for hudud, which is the same aspiration as his party’s.”

He also questioned whether PAS was more interested in keeping the feelings of DAP, which had voiced its opposition towards hudud, or appreciating Nabi's struggles, which were shared by grassroots members.

The by-election was called after its incumbent Karpal Singh was killed in a car accident last month.

Karpal’s son, lawyer Ramkarpal Singh Deo, has been named the DAP candidate.

MCA is not contesting the by-election as it wants to focus on its fight to defend the Constitution in light of PAS's push for the implementation of hudud in Kelantan, its secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said yesterday.

Despite BN not contesting the urban seat, a host of other individuals have expressed their intentions to do so, turning the contest into a possible multi-cornered fight when nominations are made tomorrow.

Besides Ramkarpal, Huan and Nabi, others include Mohamed Yacoob Mohamed Noor or more commonly known as "Yaacob Bebas" and the newly formed Penang Front Party. – May 11, 2014.

-The Malaysian Insider-