Loke was responding to earlier remarks by Umno minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan who claimed there were internal problems within DAP that had led party members to begin rejecting Lim.
Rahman had called for Lim’s retirement, pointing out that DAP members were sick of being under his leadership for 51 years.
He claimed DAP members at the grassroots level wanted a shift of power to a leader who was more progressive and moderate compared with the “extreme views” Lim had.
“If he thinks that Lim is so unpopular, then all the more reason for BN to hope for Lim to contest in the upcoming polls.
“Why is BN so afraid of contesting against him?” Loke asked when contacted.
Loke also reminded Rahman that DAP’s internal matters were none of his concern.
“And the decision whether Lim will be the party’s leader is left to the party’s leadership to decide. It’s none of Rahman’s business.
“I’m sure many party members still view Lim as an asset to the party.”
Lim, who is Gelang Patah MP, had earlier this morning announced that the constituency would be his “first choice” if he decided to contest in the upcoming 14th general election.
The DAP supremo, on a nationwide tour to promote the DAP’s “Save and Reset Malaysia” campaign, said this after posters and banners, put up around Gelang Patah, mockingly suggested that he was “missing” from his constituency.
DAP grassroots members want Kit Siang to retire, claims Rahman