JOHOR BARU, Oct 18 — Several DAP branches from the party’s Iskandar Puteri parliamentary constituency have today called on its incumbent federal representative Lim Kit Siang to defend the seat in the impending national polls for the third time.

In a joint statement, the Iskandar Puteri DAP branch committee said it hopes that the 81-year-old veteran politician will be endorsed by Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) executive council to contest in the parliamentary constituency again for the 15th general election (GE15).

"We, the Iskandar Puteri DAP branch committee, are grateful for Lim’s contribution as not only an MP for two terms, but also for his long-standing leadership in the party’s national-level and the PH coalition.

"We still consider Lim as a valuable asset to both DAP and PH. We also request that he will be able to lead us in GE15 or to contest in any parliamentary constituency deemed suitable for him by the party and PH leadership.

"We feel very sad that Lim announced that he will not contest in the Iskandar Puteri parliament seat and will withdraw from politics,” read the statement issued by seven Iskandar Puteri DAP branches here today.

The DAP branches involved are from: Taman Impian Emas, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah Apartment, Taman Universiti, Lima Kedai, Kangkar Pulai and Skudai Baru 8.5 Mile.

The joint statement comes as the party has yet to identify a suitable candidate for the parliamentary constituency following Lim’s announcement that he was retiring from politics in March this year.

At the same time, the joint statement also called for the party’s top leadership to consider former Johor Opposition leader and ex-Skudai assemblyman Dr Boo Cheng Hau as a replacement for Lim.

"As we will face a very difficult political contest for GE15, the Iskandar Puteri branch representatives and committee have agreed to unanimously recommend Dr Boo, an experienced local leader, as the parliamentary candidate for the upcoming national polls.

"Our proposal has been submitted to the DAP national election candidate selection committee for further consideration and decision making,” read the statement.

Dr Boo, who is credited with DAP’s early foray in Johor in 2008, is currently the party’s state committee member and its Taman Ungku Tun Aminah branch publicity secretary.

The 58-year-old medical doctor is known for being outspoken and locking horns with other party members and PH leaders.