Teo: Strife over Lim Guan Eng's candidacy reflects their true colours for party

SHAH ALAM - Decision to field DAP Chairman Lim Guan Eng as the Bagan state seat candidate was a collective decision and that no one person should be scapegoated.

DAP National Publicity Secretary Teo Nie Ching said this when asked about the internal strife in DAP amidst the six state elections this year.

She said there were certainly dissatisfaction among party members who were not chosen as candidates but they have chosen to not openly convey these feelings in order to prevent negative effects on the party's image.

"They will continue supporting the new candidates fielded in the upcoming election in their campaigns and will refrain from making statements that will reflect badly on the party.

"However, there are also some who decided to contest independently. This situation shows who really cares for the party as a whole and those who only use DAP as a platform to fulfill their needs," she said when asked during a Tai Chi exercise event with Kota Kamuning candidate Preakas Sampunathan.

Also present was DAP veteran Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang, chose to keep mum on the recent internal strife and criticism towards his son, Guan Eng's candidacy for the Penang State election.

Teo also stated that it was not unusual for DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke to defend Lim Guan Eng's candidacy as the decision to field him was a collective decision made unanimously by a five-man committee.

The committee which consists of Anthony Loke, National Chairman Lim Guan Eng, Deputy Chairman Gobind Singh Deo, Vice Chairmans Nga Kor Ming and M. Kulasegaran.

The committee, she said, was in charge of the candidate selection and had made a unanimous decision to nominate Lim Guan Eng as a candidate for the state poll.

"We make a decision together and bear the burden of our mistakes together, nobody will be singled out and made our scapegoat," Teo emphasised.

Teo said it normal for new faces to take over, adding that a rejuvenation process is needed to make way for others to take the lead in the future.

"I am sure that those who truly care for the party will continue supporting DAP and the Unity Government and ensure a big win in the state elections," she said.