GEORGE TOWN July 26 — Penang DAP Pulau Pinang has dropped five executive state councillors from its list of candidates in the upcoming state polls in an effort to revitalise the party and maintain its relevance.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the decision was made after considering new faces that would inject new life to the party that has ruled Penang for three terms.
“Some have served for a long period of time, including P. Ramasamy, a three-term Deputy Chief Minister II and Chong Eng, a two-term state councillor and MP.
“So there is a need to give new faces a chance. This is a process needed to ensure the party remains relevant,” he told reporters after announcing the list of Penang DAP candidates for the upcoming state election here yesterday.
He added that the renewal process for a political party will take place with each election and is something normal, in line with DAP’s principle that no one leader is irreplaceable, including himself.
Loke said that Yeoh Soon Hin was dropped as the party had other plans for him, adding that the latter would be nominated for the Penang Port Commission chairman position due to his experience as tourism state councillor.
“We also agreed that Yeoh would not contest in state elections this time as we will nominate him for a parliamentary seat in the upcoming 16th general election,” he said.
He added that he was certain those dropped for this state election would not contest as independents and stressed that anyone doing so would be automatically expelled from the party.
The two other executive councillors dropped are Phee Boon Poh and Soon Lip Chee.
DAP contested and won all 19 state seats during the 14th general election.
— Bernama
