DAP ‘trying to stir up problems’ Chia raps opposition party over speculation

By Ng Su-Ann (The Star)
Sunday April 15, 2007

PENANG: Gerakan secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye said the DAP was trying to stir up problems for Gerakan by speculating that Umno favoured him as the next chief minister.

Chia said the DAP wanted to see infighting among Gerakan leaders to weaken the party.

“They want to distract Gerakan leaders from working hard for the raykat by creating animosity between themselves.

“This ploy is unethical and they are speaking without any basis,” he told newsmen after presenting a cheque for RM20,000 to the Kong Hock Keong board for the Thnee Kong Tnua Temple's restoration fund yesterday.

The speculation was made by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng's political secretary Ng Wei Aik at a ceramah on April 1.

Chia said there was also a possibility that Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon would stay put in Penang after all.

Speculation is also rife in the Chinese dailies that there are “four heavenly kings” who are in the running to the chief ministership.

The four are Chia, who is also Deputy Information Minister, state executive councillors Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan and Teng Chang Yeow, and Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon.

“Why only four? Gerakan leaders have also indicated that state executive councillor Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon and Datuk Keramat assemblyman Ong Thean Lye may also be in the race,” Chia said.

“The dailies also speculated that there is bad blood between me and Dr Teng. This is untrue but I don't believe that we have to shake hands in front of the media to prove it.”

He appealed to the press and the public to stop speculating and let them focus on working hard and earning the people's confidence.

“If we lose in the next general election, there won't be any chief ministership to talk about,” he added.