GE13: Abdul Hadi shows support for DAP man gone Independent; PKR angry

Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's open show of support for independent candidate Koh Boon Heng for the Damak state seat has raised the ire of political ally PKR.
"I hope the people will give their support to Cikgu Koh on polling day. His symbol is the hibiscus," he said before holding the hands of Koh and PAS parliamentary candidate for Jerantut Dr Hamzah Jaafar.
Koh is the Pahang DAP vice-chairman, but his status in the party is uncertain as state DAP chairman Leong Ngah Ngah declined to comment when asked if Koh had been sacked for contesting as an independent.
PKR vice-president Fuziah Salleh said it was against the spirit of Pakatan Rakyat to campaign for an independent.
"We view this matter seriously and will bring it up to the central leadership," she said, adding that PKR was contesting the seat under the Pakatan banner.
The Damak state seat will see a four-cornered fight between PKR's Jamaluddin Abd Rahim, incumbent BN candidate Datuk Lau Lee and Independents Mohd Nor Jaafar and Koh.
Chinese voters made up of 34.3% of the 22,917 total voters in Damak.
Prior to nomination day, PKR and DAP were competing for the right to contest the Damak state seat.
On nomination day, Koh filed his papers without endorsement from the party's leadership.
He claimed that he stood a better chance to win after servicing the people over the last five years and would leave it to the party to decide on his membership.