BUTTERWORTH – Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow has played down the possibility of a revolt within the party’s ranks after seven leaders, including former three-term deputy chief minister P. Ramasamy, were sidelined as candidates for the upcoming state election.
He also indicated that action will be taken against members who unduly lambast the party over its decision. He stressed that the leadership must ensure that DAP’s election-related work is not adversely affected.
“It happens all the time when there is an election. It is nothing new,” Chow, who is also caretaker chief minister here, said.
He avoided any commitments when asked if he would meet with the dissatisfied parties to pacify them and to convince them to focus on winning the actual election on August 12.
Speculations have emerged that DAP members are willing to risk sackings by contesting as independents in the polls.
Penang has 40 state seats up for grabs in the election scheduled on August 12.
Chow, who is defending his Padang Kota state seat, also brushed off claims from Ramasamy that there were “hidden hands” that had decided on the candidates’ line-up for DAP.
The party will be defending its 19 state seats which it has held since 2008.
“There must be 10 hands. Why? Because the candidates’ selection committee comprised five people. It is a unanimous decision. In the state, we accept it,” he said after opening a state Fire and Rescue Department seminar at the Butterworth Arena here.
Chow confirmed that there are voices of discontent among some leaders following the announcement of candidates on Tuesday by secretary-general Anthony Loke.
He said that in any election there is bound to be dissatisfaction when the candidates’ list is announced.
“There are some who opted to leave the party to contest as independents. This happens every time. It is nothing new.
“However, the voices of discontent which we have been hearing for the past two to three days must be dealt with by the party.
“And we will ensure our election machinery is not affected in any way,” he added.
Pressed to comment that former DAP Kampung Jawa Auto City branch leader David Marshel announcing that he would be contesting as an independent for the Prai seat, Chow referred to his statement issued yesterday in which he had called on the party to close ranks and focus on delivering a big win for the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition.
Earlier, the were two takeaways from the seminar, the deputy director-general (operations) of the fire and rescue department Datuk Edwin Galan Teruki said that the department has finalised compiling a set of guidelines on fire safety concerning the installation of charges for the growing number of commercial electrical vehicles on the roads now.
The guidelines are now with the government to study and to adopt, said Edwin.
It was also pointed out that the department is disturbed by the growing number of drownings, including in swimming pools at homes or commercial entities.
There is a need to launch a widespread campaign to educate the public about the dangers of unsupervised use of water bodies from rivers to oceans and swimming pools, said Edwin.
There were even drownings of toddlers inside bathtubs in homes, said Edwin.
He urged for greater care for the vulnerable such as children when they go swimming. – The Vibes, July 27, 2023
