THE DAP leadership has agreed to Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong’s decision to challenge MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong in Ayer Hitam, Johor in the 14th general election.

The party is expected to announce Liew’s candidacy during its 52th anniversary celebration in Ayer Hitam on March 18.

“The Ayer Hitam candidate is Liew Chin Tong,” a party official told The Malaysian Insight.

“DAP considers Johor as one of the main battlegrounds in the country, we will present strong candidates to ensure Pakatan Harapan (PH) as a whole will win,” said the official.

The Malaysian Insight reported last month that the party leadership originally had reservations when Liew volunteered himself to take on Wee at Ayer Hitam.

A three-term MP and a minister, Wee won Ayer Hitam by 15,652 votes in 2004. His majority declined slightly to 13,909 votes during the 2008 political tsunami and was slashed further to 7,310 votes in 2013.

There are two state seats in Ayer Hitam – Yong Peng and Semarang.

DAP beat MCA to win Yong Peng in 2013 with a majority of 2,475 votes but Umno retained Semarang with 8,075 votes.

Bersatu will be contesting in Semarang against Umno in GE14.

A party source said DAP social media strategist and Damansara Utara assemblyman Yeo Bee Yin could be the replacement for Liew in Kluang.

If so, she would be going up against MCA Kluang division chief and former deputy minister Gan Ping Sieu.

Liew beat current MCA vice-president Hou Kok Chung to win Kluang with a majority of 7,359 votes in 2013. – March 8, 2018.