MUAR: Rumblings among the DAP grassroots and even some NGOs are growing louder over a “purge” in the party which will likely see four incumbents being dropped while two others have announced their retirement.

       Many in the party claim that those who have served their constituents well all these years should not be removed at this juncture. Instead, they felt the party should work to unite everyone, even those from different camps.

       Among those touted to be dropped or moved include Tan Hong Pin (Skudai), S. Ramakrishnan (Bekok), Cheo Yee How (Perling), Yeo Tung Siong (Pekan Nanas) and Ng Yak Howe (Bentayan).

       Two incumbents, Chew Peck Choo (Yong Peng) and Tan Chen Choon (Jementah), have announced that they will be retiring.

       So far, DAP has announced four incumbents to contest in the Johor election, namely in Paloh, Tangkak, Mengkibol and Penggaram.

       The four are aligned to either state chief Liew Chin Tong or his deputy Teo Nie Ching or Bakri MP Yeo Bee Yin.

       Party sources said the “purge” in Johor DAP started in 2018 when Hong Pin challenged Liew for the state chairmanship and lost by a few votes. In 2021, Hong Pin lost again and did not even make the cut into the state line-up.

       Talk has been rife that Senai incumbent Tee Bong Tsong could be moved to Yong Peng.

       “We are also hearing that Teo herself may contest a state seat as part of the succession effort, to take over the state leadership from Liew,” the sources said, adding that among DAP’s safest seats included Skudai, Bentayan and Senai.

       They said Senai would be a convenient seat for Teo, as it was within her Kulai parliamentary seat.

       Party leaders, including secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, have brushed off the rumblings.

       The sources said there is a possibility of some candidates being moved to other seats because of seat negotiations with Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda).

       “Anyway, none of those being dropped or moved have been involved in any scandal or abuse of power or have failed to perform,” the sources said.

       Hong Pin, when contacted, said Liew had to explain why he was dropped as he had not been implicated in any scandal or issues before and had served the party and constituents well.

       “So far, three incumbents including me have been told about being dropped. Two others have been left hanging.

       “If he (Liew) is dropping incumbents merely to get rid of those from other factions, this is not right,” he said, adding that DAP’s strategy should be to retain those who have served the people well.

       He said with the strict SOP during Covid-19, people would not even know who the new faces are from DAP.

       Asked if he would leave the party if dropped, he said he joined DAP to serve and would continue.

       Meanwhile, Johor Indian Business Association president P. Sivakumar said Ramakrishan had served his constituents well in Bekok and also as a state executive councillor when Pakatan Harapan was the government.

       “Why drop him after one term?” Sivakumar asked, adding that DAP, being a multiracial party, should allocate at least three seats each for Indian and Malay candidates.