According to Malaysiakini and Lim Kit Siang’s blog, Fong Po Kuan has changed her mind. She will defend Batu Gajah.
All fathers of young daughters out there take note… it seems Lim Guan Eng is one hell of a sweet-talker, so be careful when he is around. :)
If there is any concern that a DAP/PKR slim-majority coalition government cannot be sustained in Penang, I think this is strong evidence to the contrary. With Guan Eng in an EXCO position (if not Chief Minister), I believe he can unite PKR, DAP, and even the BN ADUNs (especially the MCA and Gerakan ADUNs). In the past week he has resolved state-wide election operations in Penang and even calmed an open revolt in Bagan, he has headed off a leadership crisis in Pahang, and now he has brought Fong Po Kuan back into the front-lines.
That’s why he is Secretary-General, and I believe he will be a very good Chief Minister.
But back to Batu Gajah, it’s hard to say how DAP comes out of this. On the one hand obviously the indecisiveness does look bad… but on the other hand, some comments on LKS’ blog are already going so far as to shout “Art of War”. The endorsement by DPM Najib that “Po Kuan is a very capable MP” can’t hurt ;), but more seriously this may throw MCA’s and Gerakan’s entire Kinta Valley campaign strategy into disarray.
We can demand for explanations from DAP on March 9th about what the hell happened, but for now this provides much needed momentum going into nomination day.
No demands needed. Ultimately, all is forgiven and time to roll on :)