PAKATAN Harapan continued their siege on Johor when they announced Damansara Utama state rep Yeo Bee Yin for the Bakri parliamentary seat.

Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng made the announcement at the Pusat Komuniti Bakri Bentayan today.

Lim also announced new candidate Ng Yat How for the Bentayan state seat.

Earlier, Lim said he had come to Muar with mixed feelings as he had to announce the retirement of Bakri MP Er Teck Hwa and Bentayan state rep Chua Wee Beng.

“Giving up existing seats is not easy but it is this sacrificial spirit that will help the struggle move ahead. This kind of spirit of giving has given us a new momentum to forge ahead,” said Lim.

Pakatan Harapan’s decision to move its “stars” to contest seats in Johor is part of the coalition’s efforts to make a serious go at winning the southern state in the next general election.

Earlier, DAP national publicity secretary Tony Pua said Yeo’s move to Johor follows other examples set by DAP leaders such as Liew Chin Tong and Teo Nie Ching.

“In 2013, Liew moved from Bukit Bendera to Kluang while Teo moved from Serdang to Kulai. Both of them were successful. Yeo’s move here is in line with our ambitions to challenge Barisan Nasional and Umno in their home state,” said the PJ Utara MP.

Liew announced last week he would take on MCA deputy president and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dr Wee Ka Siong for the Ayer Hitam seat.

Similarly, Yeo had announced last week that she was leaving her Damansara Utama state seat to return to contest in her home state of Johor.

During the 2013 election, Yeo became the youngest Selangor lawmaker at 30 to win the Damansara Utama state seat with 83.6% of the votes. It was the highest state seat margin in the country.

The Malaysian Insight reported on Wednesday that she will replace two-term MP Er Teck Hwa as the Bakri candidate in the next polls.

Earlier, outgoing Bakri MP Er Teck Hwa set the tone for the unveiling by thanking the Muar voters for their support and said he had stepped aside for the greater good.

He said Malaysia was still in mired in financial scandals and asked them to continue their support for Yeo.

“Thank you for everyone for your support for the past 10 years. If I have done well it is because of you and if I have not done enough, please forgive me,” said the popular Er.

Bentayan state rep Chua Wee Beng also announced his decision to quit his seat at the Pusat Komuniti Bakri Bentayan in Muar. 

Also present were DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang, Ayer Hitam candidate and Johor DAP state chief Liew Chin Tong, Bentayan state rep Chua Wee Beng, and Bersatu Youth chief and Muar hopeful Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman. – March 24, 2018.