[UPDATED] Calls to replace Santiago came as early as 2013: Gobind

KELANA JAYA – DAP’s incumbent Klang MP Charles Santiago has been dropped from the party’s 15th general election (GE15) candidate list to make room for fresh faces, after serving his constituency for three terms, a party leader said. 

Selangor DAP chairman Gobind Singh Deo told reporters that there had been “proposals” to field a different candidate in the constituency from as early as 2013, during Santiago’s first term in the area. 

“(Santiago) is fully aware that there have been requests to replace him (with a different candidate) in Klang,” he said after attending a party fundraiser at the Kelana Jaya Stadium car park, here this evening. 

“In 2013 and again in 2018, (Santiago) came to see me because I was able to speak with the (DAP) leadership to give him an opportunity to carry on.”

During the event, party secretary-general Anthony Loke had earlier announced that it will field Kota Kemuning assemblyman Ganabatirau Veraman as its candidate for Klang. 

Other candidates announced include Gobind (Damansara), Yeo Bee Yin (Puchong), and Syahredzan Johan (Bangi).

Ganabatirau’s candidacy in Klang ends weeks of questioning over whether DAP would drop Santiago, who has held the seat for three terms.

Since winning the seat in 2008 and breaking MCA’s grip on the Chinese-majority area, Santiago had continued to retain the constituency with increased majorities in subsequent elections. 

In 2018, Santiago won the seat with a 78,773-vote majority over MCA candidate Datuk Ching Eu Boon. 

Gobind, who is also the incumbent Puchong MP, stressed that while dropping Santiago was a “difficult decision,” the decision was made to ensure that other candidates are given a chance to test their abilities. 

“After 14 years (of being an MP), of course there have been requests for new faces to take over,” he said, highlighting that he had discussed the issue with Santiago prior to the announcement yesterday evening.

“I met with (Santiago) some time ago and informed him that there had been some issues brought to my attention (regarding) proposals brought forward (for DAP) to field other names in Klang. 

“I don’t want to state what exactly we discussed, but suffice to say that we have already given him the opportunity (to be an MP) for three terms.”

Commenting on the strong backing Santiago evidently received from various local communities in Klang, Gobind said that such support was to be expected and had been taken into consideration prior to the party’s decision.

“Other candidates also have their supporters, I have received many phone calls, letters, and visits from people advocating their candidate of choice,” he said.

He also pointed out that Ganabatirau is a two-term Selangor assemblyman, a state executive councillor, and a DAP central executive committee member. 

“He (Ganabatirau) has handled issues in his area well,” Gobind said.

Meanwhile, Gobind also conveyed his well wishes to incumbent Bentong MP Wong Tack, who announced that he will be running as an independent candidate in GE15 after DAP axed him in favour of Young Syefura Othman.

“He has made his decision, everyone has the right to contest as an independent candidate,” Gobind said.

“DAP is confident in the candidates that it has proposed.” – The Vibes, October 27, 2022