GEORGE TOWN – Amid backlash from DAP incumbents omitted from running again, Lim Guan Eng has called on all party leaders and members to close ranks ahead of the coming Penang legislative election to ensure that the state remains under Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the fourth consecutive term.
The DAP chairman said that the top leadership understands the contention among former elected representatives who were not renominated to defend their seats.
“But we hope they respect, accept and support the party’s decisions,” Lim told journalists here after attending an event in Penang Hill last night.
“Let us come together to ensure that we can retain Penang,” he said amid criticism from both outgoing deputy chief minister II P. Ramasamy and outgoing Bagan Dalam assemblyman M. Satees who claimed that there was a lack of transparency in not renominating them.
Besides the duo, DAP Wanita head Chong Eng had also expressed her disappointment in not being selected to run again, while outgoing Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee cited personal health and family struggles as among the reasons for not being involved in the coming polls.
Lim stressed that the party wants to strike a balance between continuity and renewal to meet the expectations of younger voters.
“I think what we need to do is move forward and make sure we can secure victory.”
Satees did not mince his words, saying that there is an “emperor” who is only preoccupied with having things done his way to the extent of hurting the party and state.
DAP decided to not renominate seven incumbents out of the 19 candidates.
Nominations are on Saturday, while early voting will take place on August 8.
The big day falls on August 12 for six states: Penang, Kedah, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan and Terengganu.
Lim also said that all of the DAP candidates have backed caretaker chief minister Chow Kon Yeow in resuming his post for a second term should the latter defend his Padang Kota seat and PH retains Penang.
“It is not an issue,” Lim said when responding to claims of an alleged rift in the party.
Meanwhile, speculations continue to swirl on how certain quarters unhappy with DAP’s candidate selection may field independents to contest in the 40 state seats.
This means that the majority of the seats may see multi-cornered fights.
Besides PH, which is led by DAP in Penang, the opposition bloc of Perikatan Nasional will contest all 40 seats, while Muda and Parti Rakyat Malaysia as well as smaller parties are also expected to field candidates in the polls. – The Vibes, July 27, 2023
