by Lee Way Loon
Malaysiakini
9:47PM Mar 18, 2013
After weeks of speculation, Pakatan Rakyat officially announced tonight that DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang will be contesting the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat in Johor.
The announcement was made by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim at DAP’s 47th anniversary celebration and ceramah in Skudai.
“It’s true that Gelang Patah was a PKR seat. But we can discuss.
“I hold the opinion that it is still a PKR seat. But if Kit Siang comes and assists us, leads us and becomes the Gelang Patah candidate, I give him my full support,” Anwar told a cheering 20,000-strong crowd.
The PKR de facto leader then invited Lim and all the DAP leaders to come on stage to endorse his decision.
PKR contested Gelang Patah in the last two general elections and lost both times.
Johor DAP chief Dr Boo Cheng Hau and state PKR chief Chua Jui Meng have been crossing swords in the mass media over seat allocation in Johor, a matter that has since been taken over by the national Pakatan leadership.
Anwar, who is also the Permatang Pauh MP, admitted that there were some problems in the seat negotiations among the Pakatan parties.
However, he said, the three parties were keeping united in order to face their only enemy, the BN.
‘My biggest challenge ever’
“We cannot say DAP can win Johor alone, or that PKR or PAS alone can. The only one that can win Johor is Pakatan,” Anwar adde.
In his speech later, Lim said his contest in Gelang Patah would be his biggest challenge ever.
“This is my biggest challenge. I do not know whether I will be safe or not.
“But I must take this risk in order to bring changes in this country,” the Ipoh Timor MP said.
In a high spirited tone, he told the crowd that he would be more than ready if the Johoreans were ready for Pakatan.
“If you are ready, we are ready to bring the changes,” Lim said, adding that Pakatan was targeting to win at least 18 parliamentary seats from the BN in Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Malacca.
His old comrade and DAP national chairman Karpal Singh said Johoreans must rise to help Pakatan to win 15 parliamentary seats in the state.
“Johoreans must do what the Penangites have done,” Karpal said.
To this, the crowd responded with a loud “yes!”
The emcee announced that more than 40,000 people attended the event. However, our estimate is a crowd size of about 20,000 only.
#1 by lee tai king (previously dagen) on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 - 8:42 am
YES! YES! YES!
#2 by yhsiew on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 - 8:58 am
Kit’s willingness to lead by example is inspiring!
#3 by buy election on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 - 9:13 am
uncle lim is a national leader. he can compete with success at any corner of the country
#4 by hhyap on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 - 9:18 am
Best wishes to Sdr. Kit Siang as he takes on one of the biggest challenges in his political career !
#5 by Bigjoe on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 - 9:25 am
Old ginger still the spiciest..
#6 by Jeffrey on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 - 9:31 am
///This is my biggest challenge. I do not know whether I will be safe or not.///
Never mind lo let it be either finest hour or last hurrah! It is anyway a brave strategic attack of UMNO’s own bastion and back yard in Johor at the heart of Iskandar Malaysia and focal point where they pour their development funds. Its like saying if I win your use of money is of no avail. In one stroke the dispute of seat allocation between state’s DAP and PKR chapters is swept under the carpet. UMNO will play the race card-Emperorissimo of Middle Malaysia wants to sino-nise area next to S’pore against which you attack the chink in BN’s amour (MCA’s low standing amongst 54% Chinese voters there is exploited). However other PR’s allies must help vigorously to campaign. The battle is psychological – attacking BN’s Fixed Deposit in Johore amid its uncertainty over Sabah due to current upheaval there.
#7 by Dap man on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 - 9:49 am
This is a tactical and psychological move which will boost the morale of Johoreans who have been foolishly voting in BN again and again.
I cannot imagine any Chinese not wanting to cast his vote for LKS.
#8 by boh-liao on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 - 9:59 am
YES, d theme is UBAH, CHANGE
D only constant in life is change
So, excellent idea LKS is walking d talk, b d first 2 CHANGE his constituency n take up a new challenge, take d war 2 UmnoB/BN territory
Even MMK said 柔佛将会“欢迎”林吉祥, surely moooo will also welcome LKS 2 Johor
NR can delay, can hide but he is running OUT of TIME
Time 2 face d voters
Rakyat n voters MUST NOT forget d arrogance of corrupt UmnoB kaki – just look at how d cow-woman behaved, typical of WHAT ME WORRY corrupt UmnoB/BN kaki
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/224242
#9 by monsterball on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 - 10:07 am
Lim Kit Siang is famous to stand at seats and opponents that are safe for BN.
His Tanjong 1…2 and 3..are famous and he defeated the BN CM…Lim Chong Eu.
He is all human…and did miscalculated…and was defeated too….and came back with flying colours.
Here he comes again….unselfishly…offering himself…at Galang Patah…a so call…..safe seat for BN..doing his part in actions and deeds.
#10 by Winston on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 - 10:10 am
However, he said, the three parties were keeping united in order to face their only enemy, the BN. – End of quote
Right!
That’s the way to go!
Instead of bickering, the PR must rise in unison to the occasion!!!
The most important objective now is to end the reign of UMNO/BN.
This country has been sullied for far, far too long by the crooks.
It’s way past time to put capable, accountable and transparent leaders in the driver’s seat.
#11 by lee tai king (previously dagen) on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 - 10:45 am
DAP: Taking the battle to the frontline. To umno’s traditional stronghold. To Johore!
If umno is so confident of doing well, I strongly urge umno to emulate DAP by taking its battle to DAP’s stronghold in KL.
Let the battle begin!
#12 by Winston on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 - 11:10 am
The scums in UMNO/BN can run but they cannot hide!!
They’ll be decimated in GE13!!!
None will be left to be even in the opposition!
#13 by rahmanwang on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 - 11:37 am
Wow Pakcik Lim, I respect you.
Remember RESPECT is earned and not bought.
You earned it well.
As far as I am concerned you already won at Gelang Patah just by your courageous act.
Now it is up to BN and see whether they are “Jantan” enough.
#14 by chengho on Wednesday, 20 March 2013 - 6:00 am
as long as dear Son LGE win and still CM of Penang , what about Betty in Melaka
#15 by Ukapodiboh on Saturday, 23 March 2013 - 9:09 pm
Voters in Ipoh Timor will say good riddance with Kit Siang and finally get an MP who will serve them. Kit
Siang has provided no service to Ipoh Timor since taking the seat in 2004