GEORGE TOWN – Former DAP politicians M. Satees and David Marshel have been urged to rethink their decisions to stand as independents in the Penang state election after they expressed their frustration with the alleged ploy of someone they call “the emperor”.
The leader, who preferred not to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue, said that the duo will probably lose their bids to be elected, or worse, still lose their deposits in the process of trying to make a point.
“What about the others who were also not renominated? They should emulate their Chinese counterparts who had exited gracefully.
“Make a point through the party election, which is scheduled by early next year,” the leader said in an interview.
They were also urged to remain with DAP, which is their party of choice.
Penang voters dislike candidates who defect and, in most situations, such persons cannot wrest support although they may enjoy becoming more familiar names, said the leader.
He added that election is a serious affair, as it is a platform for the voters to determine who can best serve them, and is not an avenue to take internal party feuds into the open.
“The quarrel is within DAP, and it does not involve the public (voters). Spare them the agony of having to decide on too many candidates.
“Allow people to vote for candidates who can best serve their interests, especially in getting the necessary services done and financial aid.”
Focus on public
The focus of the election should be on the people, who are reeling after suffering from a triple crisis of political instability, economic woes and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Yesterday, David, a long serving Seberang Prai City Councillor under DAP quit the party on grounds of unfair treatment meted to some leaders such as Satees and caretaker deputy chief minister II P. Ramasamy over the selection of candidates for the 19 state seats that DAP is defending.
He then announced that he will stand as an independent in the Prai constituency but under the premise that he will support Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow to continue as the chief minister into his second term.
Chow is defending his seat in the Padang Kota constituency.
Today, Satees, former Bagan Dalam assemblyman, announced likewise that he will defend the seat as an independent and also support Chow.
He is likely to be up against his apparent successor Calvin K. Kumaran, while David would be pitted against former Eco World Sdn Bhd Penang director Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo.
Nominations take place tomorrow for the election scheduled on August 12.
Earlier, Chow, at a press conference after receiving a grant of RM25 million from the Tourism Culture and Arts Ministry for the conservation and preservation of its Unesco World Heritage Site, admitted for the first time that the candidates’ list announced by the DAP leadership differed from the one that the state had submitted.
Chow also said that he does not have an issue with Ramasamy, who has been outspoken about his exclusion from the candidate list.
“As far as I know, he is still a DAP member,” Chow said. – The Vibes, July 28, 2023
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