Anthony Loke, the secretary-general of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), has staunchly defended the party’s chairman, Lim Guan Eng, amidst growing internal dissent over the selection of candidates for the upcoming Penang state election. The decision to include Lim in the candidate lineup while sidelining several long-serving leaders has sparked disquiet within the ranks of DAP, as reported by news portal Malaysiakini.
Loke emphasized Lim’s integral role as a two-term chief minister and his pivotal contribution to securing a DAP victory in Penang back in 2008, followed by a decade of leading the state. He expressed confidence that Penang voters would still appreciate Lim’s dedication and service to the region.
However, within the party, not all members share Loke’s sentiment. DAP Youth committee member M. Kogilan expressed dismay at the final candidate list, highlighting the exclusion of at least five long-serving assemblymen.
Loke had previously defended the exclusion of five Penang executive committee members, citing the need for rejuvenation and the involvement of new faces to keep the party relevant. This decision, however, has led to notable resignations from DAP, with David Marshel stepping down and pledging to contest the election as an independent candidate in a bid to prevent Lim from reclaiming the chief minister position. Similarly, the dropped Bagan Dalam incumbent, Satees Muniandy, also announced plans to defend his seat as an independent candidate.
The debate over the candidate lineup has brought to the forefront questions about the party’s strategy for rejuvenation and whether longstanding figures like Lim should make way for fresh faces in the state election. As the internal strife continues, DAP faces the challenge of maintaining unity and coherence within its ranks while navigating a crucial electoral contest in Penang.