DAP targets Johor to distract from sinking Penang

The DAP is putting extra effort on Johor because the party leadership is trying hide the fact that the DAP-led Penang government is shaky, Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamad Hashim revealed today.

The former Bayan Baru MP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leader in Penang, until he quit the party, said he was informed by opposition party insiders that efforts to divert the attention was initiated following endless tussles between Pakatan Rakyat components in the state.

“DAP leaders are now going all alone on defending Penang following the disputes between PKR and Pas in the state.

“The state is fast becoming a sinking ship for DAP…that’s why they are desperately trying to convince the public that the party is now eyeing for Johor,” he told a press conference, adding that it was an attempt to divert the attention from Penang.

Following the tussles between PKR and Pas in Penang, which might result with protest votes from supporters of both parties, Zahrain said it is hard for DAP to defend the state since they are only contesting in 19 state seats.

“(Out of 40 state seats) DAP is contesting in 19 seats…even if the party wins all seats, it still can’t form a state government because the internal problems and sabotaging from Pas and PKR. This is their (Pakatan) current dilemma.

“And they should not forget that the sentiment in 2008 and 2013 is different. They won’t be enjoying swing votes anymore. That’s why I’m saying that this time PKR and Pas will be casualties in Penang,” he said.

The relationship between PKR, Pas and DAP is under the spotlight when they managed to solve the problems of overlapping seats only three days after nomination day (April 5).

The issue emerged after Pas had placed their own candidates to contest several state seats which were being eyed by their PKR partners.

Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said the decision was made after he was informed that some candidates from PKR are having moral issues and "subscribing to Marxism."

"We received information that one of the candidates was a drug dealer who sold pil kuda (methamphetamine). We (PAS) cannot work with such candidates," he was reported to have said.

It was also reported that Pas members had assaulted PKR candidate for the Sungai Acheh state seat Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, on nomination day.

Blogger and a leader of Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM), Edy Noor Reduan was quoted as saying that members of PAS youth wing from Penang had attempted to stop CheguBard from filing his nomination papers.