Malaysians Say The Darndest Things!

Bring Fong Po Kuan Back To Parliament!

February 18, 2008

Incumbent Batu Gajah MP, Fong Po Kuan, dropped a bombshell on the nation when she announced at a press conference that she will not be defending the Batu Gajah seat. This was the final confirmation to a rumor that has been brewing on the Internet since her Valentine’s Day blog post that seemed to indicate that she would not be contesting in the 12th General Elections (When I first read her blog post on the 15th, there were only 6 comments, now, it’s up to 93).

There has been some speculations as to what had prompted this decision, but all signs point to internal bickering within the state DAP that forced her out.

From Malaysiakini news reports, Fong quits Batu Gajah:

She did not give any reasons for her decision at the press conference. However there are wide speculations that internal party turmoil was the reason behind her decision. And she alluded as much in her letter to the party to inform her decision.

…

She also revealed that party secretary general Lim Guan Eng had contacted her by telephone last night to inform her that she would be nominated to stand as a candidate in the Batu Gajah parliamentary constituency.

However she added that she had emailed him this morning of her decision not to contest.

Copies of her email to Guan Eng were also distributed at the press conference.

It in she wrote: “It is a tough decision for me as DAP has become my second family and the people of Batu Gajah parliamentary constituency have been so special to me over the last eight years.”

She told Guan Eng that “development of internal party events in the DAP Perak over the last few years as well as currently” made it “impossible for me to continue serving effectively, efficiently and wholeheartedly”.

“Under such circumstances and in the best interest of all concerned, I have arrived at this unavoidable and difficult decision,” she said.

This development, just 6 days before nomination day, and so close to polling day is a huge, huge loss to the DAP and the opposition parties in their bid to deny BN a 2/3rd’s majority in Parliament. I would personally consider Fong Po Kuan as a top politician, and also one of the bright stars in the opposition arena. The fact that major government-owned media has headlined this story is also testament to the popularity of the politician.

Some people say, politics is a popularity game. In this case, I fear that the people of Batu Gajah will stand behind their incumbent MP either by abstaining from voting, or voting the other way. I shudder to think of this possibility, but it could well happen.

Well, it’s quite clear, I want her back in Parliament next time around. It doesn’t matter whether she is in Batu Gajah, or some other seat in Johor (since her husband is based in Johor). 6 days left till nomination, and that is plenty of time for Fong Po Kuan to change her mind. Lim Guan Eng, DAP’s secretary-general has this to say:

I am shocked by the decision made by our candidate for Batu Gajah Fong Po Kuan that she will not defend her parliamentary seat that she has held for two terms. I have received her letter by email expressing her intention which she informed me she sent this morning.

Fong is still needed by the party and the people to serve and continue as MP for Batu Gajah. Fong knows that the party has never asked her to contest any other seat and wants her to continue to stand in Batu Gajah. We will try to contact her to reverse her decision the soonest possible and hopes that she will reconsider.

I hope Lim Guan Eng succeeds. But I am not going to leave it to Lim Guan Eng and DAP. I also believe in the power of the Internet, and how it can sway opinion.

If you believe that Fong Po Kuan should go back to Parliament, there are ways that you can help:

- Leave a message in her blog, telling her to reconsider
- Email the DAP headquarters and drop them a simple message. Just a simple one-liner to show your support to MP Fong, so that they know how important she is: dap.malaysia@pobox.com
- Call the Perak DAP office to express your hope that they will do all they can to resolve any internal conflicts, and to persuade MP Fong to come back: +605-2531532

Help bring back Fong Po Kuan to Parliament! You can do it!

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