Penang to avoid parachute candidates in GE14

GE14 | Penang Pakatan Harapan is considering injecting new blood, including several local councillors, as candidates in the forthcoming general election to avoid fielding outsiders or "parachute" candidates, as it had done before.

State DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow said the party is looking at "transformational growth" when making its selection of candidates.

"It is a normal process that new blood will be injected in each election to allow the party to grow," Chow told Malaysiakiniwhen asked to comment on the selection of candidates in the state for GE14.

"As to how many of the young blood will be selected will depend on the strategy of the election," he added.

Asked if these new faces meant local councillors are being considered, Chow said, "Definitely! Councillors have been nominated by their branches and we have short-listed some to take up the challenges."

One of the homegrown persons being considered is state DAP assistant treasurer Jeffrey Chew for the Pulau Tikus state seat. He is currently the deputy general manager of the state development arm, Penang Development Corporation.

Chew is ready to serve the state should he be called to do so. Incumbent Pulau Tikus assemblyperson Yap Soo Huey (photo) has announced that she will be leaving for further studies in the United States and will therefore not contest in GE14.

"The party decides and I will serve the state and party to the fullest," Chew told Malaysiakini.

He added: "I will support the party like I have for the past 30 years as a member. It doesn't matter if I am a candidate or not.

"The party and our coalition must win over the evil regime for the rakyat to have a better future."

Penang Island City Council and Seberang Perai Municipal Council members are being considered for candidates in the 19 seats DAP has decided to defend in the election.

'Workaholic politician'

It is learnt that these potential candidates have been interviewed by the party since last year.

MPSP councillor Satees Muniandy (right in photo) said he is there to serve DAP and is willing to play any role that the party entrusts him to do.

"Whether I contest or not, it is up to the party and the leadership to decide. At the moment we are working hard to ensure we retain the Batu Kawan parliamentary seat and Perai state seat with bigger majorities than in GE13," Satees said.

He said the party was alerted by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's comment last week that BN has a "bright chance" in Batu Kawan.

"We are working to make that claim wrong!" quipped Satees, who is secretary of NGO Tamilar Kural Malaysia.

"We will also assist in the Nibong Tebal parliamentary seat (held by PKR), where BN is very confident of winning the Indian votes," he said.

"We will not let the Indians in Nibong Tebal to be fooled by BN’s empty promises and goodies.

"We have to ensure that the seat is won by a Harapan candidate, in order to solidify our road to Putrajaya. That’s what in my mind now," added Sates, who is hopeful he would be picked to contest in Batu Kawan.

His colleague David Marshel (left in photo above), who is being considered for the Bagan Dalam state seat, said he is "more than ready" to be a candidate if offered the opportunity by the party leadership.

Marshel said he is not just a politician, but also chairperson of the national NGO Tamilar Kural Malaysia, which provides services to the Indian community.

"It's nothing new to me, to serve the people. The people know me very well, since I'm a workaholic politician and the past five years experience as a municipal councillor is another step forward for me," he said.

Both Satees and Marshel have been actively involved in bringing the untimely death of teenager M Vasanthapiriya – who committed suicide after being accused of stealing her teacher's mobile phone – to national attention. 

'A great honour'

On the island, MBPP councillor Syerleena Abdul Rashid (photo), said it would be a great honour to be considered as an election candidate.

"There are huge tasks and responsibilities that lie ahead - if given the opportunity I will do my best to serve and help push for the reforms this country needs," Syerleena said.

"Of course, ultimately the final decision will be made by the party and I will respect whatever decision the leaders make.

"Giving the chance to new blood can definitely be beneficial for Malaysia. We need fresh and innovative ideas," added the state DAP assistant publicity secretary.

"The world is rapidly changing and the challenges of globalisation need to be addressed diligently, as well as progressively. Malaysia needs renewed hope and Malaysians need to feel inspired."

Although revealing no details, Syerleena is highly speculated to be picked for the Bukit Bendera parliamentary seat. The incumbent MP, Zairil Khir Johari, is said to be considered for the Tanjung Bungah state seat.

Tanjung Bungah assemblyperson Teh Yee Cheu (photo) has expressed his intention to contest the Sungai Pinang state seat, but not on a Harapan party ticket.

Since Teh has been actively promoting the launch of a Parti Sosialis Malaysia service centre in Sungai Pinang this Sunday, it is widely speculated that he will be contesting the seat under the PSM ticket.

PKR too has interviewed several of its local councillors as potential candidates for GE14, which must be called by August this year.

One of the councillors being considered for Batu Uban, currently held by veteran Dr T Jayabalan, is A Kumaresan.

Kumaresan (photo) is active in handling the tasks of stateless people in Penang, and has helped register many, especially children, to be admitted into schools.

A University Sains Malaysia graduate in management, Kumaresan has been loyal to PKR and has been working as an assistant to Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin.

"I'm ready if given the chance, but the choice is really up to the party leadership. I leave it to them to decide.

"It will be good if new, fresh ideas can be injected into the party. Local councillors have experience on the ground and just like the assemblypersons, we meet many people and receive lots of phone calls to help resolve the rakyat's problems," he added.

There is widespread speculation that Prime Minister Najib Razak would call for the dissolution of Parliament by end of this month or early April, to pave the way for GE14 to be held in early May, before the start of Ramadhan. -Mkini