GE13: Jui Meng accepts there is no seat for him in polls

(The Star) – Johor PKR chief Datuk Chua Jui Meng, whose two-week leave created a ripple within the Opposition, finally said he accepted the fact there might not be seat for him to contest in the general election.

“I had a house, and that house was Gelang Patah. And now I don’t have a house to go to.

“The party has sought to look for other houses to fulfil PKR’s quota of 12 parliamentary seats but no doors have been opened to me,” he said.

Chua admitted that his supporters in Gelang Patah were disappointed with the recent announcement that DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang would stand as the Opposition candidate there.

However, he said the disappointment would be temporary and added that he would cooperate with PAS and the DAP “whether I stand in the election or not”.

Speaking at a packed press conference in the PKR headquarters here yesterday, Chua said he had no problems with the DAP and would work with it for the sake of Pakatan’s campaign in the GE13.

When asked about his relations with his DAP counterpart in Johor Dr Boo Cheng Hau whom he had openly clashed with in the past Chua put on a brave front and said there was no quarrel to begin with. He instead heaped praise on Dr Boo.

“Dr Boo is a bright young leader. I wish him all the best and he has a bright future ahead of him,” he said.

Dr Boo had in February accused Chua of being behind “vicious attacks” against Johor DAP and called for him to be removed as state PKR chief.

Chua had retaliated by urging Dr Boo to be “more mature, humble and patient”. Both had reportedly been eyeing the Gelang Patah seat and Chua had said then that it was Dr Boo and not himself who had stated any intention to contest there.

Chua yesterday also admitted that he went on two-weeks leave but was tight-lipped over the reason.

However, there was speculation that it was because he was disappointed with the PKR leadership for conceding the Gelang Patah seat to the DAP.