[UPDATED] Leaked Penang DAP candidate list show end of Kit Siang era?

GEORGE TOWN – A leaked list of Penang DAP candidates for the state polls next month shows that it is curtains for party veterans here who began their political careers under founder Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang.

The list shows no seat allotted for veterans Phee Boon Poh, the Sg Puyu incumbent, nor Wanita DAP head Chong Eng, the Padang Lalang incumbent.

The average age of the new candidate line-up is now also brought down to 46.

Besides the two veterans, who had served their fifth and sixth terms respectively, three other distinguished leaders were also asked to make way.

They are three-term assemblymen and state executive councillors, P. Ramasamy, Yeoh Soon Hin and Soon Lip Chee.

Ramasamy is caretaker deputy chief minister II and Prai incumbent, Yeoh was the Paya Terubong assemblyman, and Soon, the Bagan Jermal incumbent.

Some first-term elected representatives are also not in the leaked list, among them Satees Muniandy (Bagan Dalam) and Chris Lee Chun Kit (Pulau Tikus).

However, Lee had issued a statement to announce that he will not be contesting, citing health issues as well as the need to care for ailing family members. 

Meanwhile, only three senior leaders were retained in the list of 19 candidates.

They are caretaker chief minister Chow Kon Yeow, who will defend his Padang Kota seat, DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, who will attempt a fourth term as Air Putih assemblyman, and Jagdeep Singh Deo, who will defend his Datuk Keramat seat, also for the fourth term.

It is learnt that among the new faces in the line-up is Phee Syn Tze, who is said to be the daughter of Phee.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke and vice-president Nga Kor Ming, who are part of the five-member candidate selection committee, will be on hand later at 5pm to formally unveil the list for Penang.

Loke is also expected to speak about the party’s renewal strategy.

Jagdeep is now touted as the next deputy chief minister II should he win his seat and Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional win the state. – The Vibes, July 25, 2023