Loke assures no backlash from dropped DAP incumbents in Penang

[superadmin]

GEORGE TOWN – DAP does not expect any backlash from its decision to omit five Penang executive councillors who include party veterans from its list of state election candidates.

Party secretary-general Anthony Loke said that he has spoken to those who were not renominated and clarified matters with them.

“It is difficult for a political party like us. We only have 19 seats (in Penang) for DAP and 100 deserving candidates out there. We need to put the party first,” Loke said today after unveiling the party’s candidates for the Penang and Kedah elections on August 12.

Notable stalwarts dropped from the line up are former deputy chief minister P. Ramasamy and executive councillors Phee Boon Poh and Chong Eng.

Loke said that it is difficult to appease all leaders in the party, but urged all to close ranks to preserve DAP’s standing as the leading party in Penang.

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[superadmin]

DAP shake-up: Not rejuvenation but political purge

I FULLY understand that the candidate renewal process in DAP or any other party for that matter is something normal.

The DAP party leadership must engage in this process through consultation and discussion.

The national leadership cannot override the feelings and sentiments of the state leadership and that of the grassroot members.

DAP, as the name suggests, is a party that holds to the principles of democracy and fair play and therefore, it goes with saying that meritocracy is the key consideration in the selection process.

The recent DAP selection process for candidates chosen to stand in the Penang state election on Aug 12 leaves much to be desired for.

The state committee provided a list of candidates, but the actual outcome seems to be something else.

A few weeks before the announcement of the candidates, a list termed as “fake” was circulated about the state line-up.

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