KUALA LUMPUR – The move to drop five Penang exco members from its candidate line-up is part of an effort to revitalise DAP and maintain its relevance, said party secretary-general Anthony Loke.
The decision was made, he said, after taking into consideration that new faces would inject new life to the Pakatan Harapan component party that has led Penang for three terms.
Those dropped were Deputy Chief Minister P. Ramasamy, DAP women’s chief Chong Eng, Paya Terubong assemblyman Yeoh Soon Hin, Phee Boon Poh (Sg Puyu) and Soon Lip Chee (Bagan Jermal). Of the 19 candidates, seven are fresh faces.
“Some have served for a long period of time, including Ramasamy and Chong Eng. There is a need to give new people a chance so the party can remain relevant,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama after announcing the line-up of Penang DAP candidates for the state election last night.
He added that rejuvenation for any political party will take place with each election and in line with DAP’s principle that no one leader was irreplaceable.
Loke said Yeoh was not in the line-up as he would be nominated as the Penang Port Commission chairman due to his experience as a tourism exco.
“We also agreed that Yeoh would not contest in state elections this time as we will nominate him for a parliamentary seat in the 16th general election.”
He added that he was certain that those dropped would not contest as independents and if they did, they would be automatically expelled from the party.
Meanwhile, the old guards that made it to the candidate list were Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (Padang Kota), party chairman Lim Guan Eng (Air Putih), Zairil Khir Johari (Tg Bunga) and Jagdeep Singh Deo (Datok Keramat).
Incumbents for Pengkalan Kota (Gooi Zi Sen) and Bukit Bendera (Wong Hon Wai) will be running for Padang Lalang and Paya Terubong, respectively.
“Our mission is to retain the Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan governments, and if possible, win another or two more state governments.
“If this can be achieved, the country will be more stable under the unity government and make Penang more progressive,” said Loke in his speech when announcing the candidates.
The new faces are Phee Syn Tze (Sg Puyu), Chee Yeeh Keen (Bagan Jermal), Kumaran Krishnan (Bagan Dalam), Sundarajoo Somu (Perai), Wing Yuee Harng (Pengkalan Kota), Woo Sze Zeng (Pulau Tikus) and Tan Hooi Peng (Seri Delima).
DAP is also fielding Teh Swee Leong and Tan Kok Yew in Kedah’s Kota Darulaman and Derga seats, respectively.
DAP contested and won all 19 state seats in the 2018 general election.
Polling day for state elections in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan will be on August 12 and the nomination day is this Saturday. – July 26, 2023