Po Kuan sticking to her guns

IPOH: Incumbent Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan is sticking fast to her decision not to contest in the general election.

In her blog (http://pokuan.blogsome.com), Fong said it was a tough decision.

“I am unable to reconsider my decision of not to contest in this coming 12th General Election. I am sorry if I have disappointed you. I do hope you all will try to understand,” she said in her comments posted yesterday at 3.14pm.

She started her posting with an apology and stated she was unable to answer all calls, reply messages, e-mails and comments.

“I do appreciate your views, criticisms, supports and encouragement,” she said.

Meanwhile, DAP strongman Lim Kit Siang has been unable to contact Fong as his phone calls have been unanswered.

“I tried reaching her to persuade her to change her mind but she has been incommunicado,” the DAP stalwart told a press conference here yesterday.

The DAP adviser said the shocking announcement by Fong was a setback to the DAP but hoped that she would change her mind.

Yesterday, when asked if Fong, dubbed cili padi because of her fiery style, had confided the problems she faced in the party to him, Lim declined to elaborate.

“My role as a party adviser is to ask her to reconsider,” he said.

The DAP, he added, would have to look at other options if Fong did not change her mind.

Perak DAP chief Ngeh Koo Ham, in a statement read out by DAP Socialist Youth chief Nga Kor Ming, said he regretted newspaper reports that had made out Fong as the victim of the DAP or its leaders.In Penang, party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng also said he would do all he can to persuade Fong.

“We love Fong, and forcing her out would be like disowning a daughter,” he said, adding that he had tried to contact Fong but to no avail.