KUALA LUMPUR – DAP may have yet to formally announce a replacement candidate for the Bangi constituency following Ong Kian Ming’s decision to take a temporary backseat in politics, but the incumbent lawmaker is throwing his full support behind Syahredzan Johan.
This comes after Syahredzan, a political newcomer, was rumoured for possible candidacy in Malaysia’s largest parliamentary constituency since Ong’s recent decision to sit out the contest in the upcoming 15th general election.
In recent weeks, Syahredzan has been spotted making rounds in Bangi, including meeting constituents and paying a visit to some of the more popular spots in the area, prompting speculation that he could be Ong’s successor.
The political secretary to former DAP chairman Lim Kit Siang, while not confirming his candidacy, had previously said that he would help his party and Pakatan Harapan recapture Putrajaya in any way possible.
When contacted for comment, Ong said he believes Syahredzan is a capable and suitable candidate to succeed him in Bangi.
I am confident he will be able to continue my work in the constituency, and, at the same time, represent and broaden the appeal of the party at the state and national levels,” he told The Vibes yesterday.
“I will give him my full support if he is nominated by the party leadership to replace me in Bangi.”
According to Ong, Syahredzan has visited his parliamentary office on several occasions to meet with his constituency staff as part of his electoral preparation.
These visits, he said, are to allow Syahredzan to better understand the role of an MP, in the event he is fielded by the party as a candidate for the coming polls.
Previously, sources have revealed to The Vibes that Syahredzan has been shortlisted by DAP’s upper echelons to contest in Bangi, where he is tipped to be making his electoral debut.
The prominent lawyer joined DAP a month prior to the last general election in May 2018, before he was appointed as Lim’s political secretary in June the same year.
In March this year, he was co-opted by the party to be a member of the central executive committee.
Speaking to The Vibes earlier this week, Syahredzan vowed to assist DAP and PH to secure victory in the next general election in whatever capacity, but stopped short of confirming whether he has been picked to contest in Bangi.
“All I will say is that whether I am fielded as a candidate or not is a decision to be made by the party’s top leadership,” he said.
“The leadership will decide on who will be suitable candidates for the next general election, and for which constituencies, both at the federal and state levels.” – The Vibes, June 17, 2022
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