GEORGE TOWN, July 26 – The renewal process in every election, including dropping some “old faces” from the candidate list, is a common and natural occurrence, according to DAP’s Secretary-General, Anthony Loke Siew Fook. He emphasized that this approach provides opportunities for new faces to serve the people while maintaining a balanced mix of new and experienced candidates to strengthen DAP’s position in Penang. Pursuing renewal is a standard practice during each election. It is a natural and necessary process that allows us to give opportunities to new faces we have chosen.
We hope that this fresh approach will breathe new life into the party, as it is a process every political party must undergo, he said during a press conference after announcing the list of DAP candidates for Penang and Kedah in the upcoming 15th General Election, held at a hotel in Georgetown on Tuesday. Loke stressed that DAP is not hesitant to undertake the renewal process to ensure the party remains relevant. He emphasized that leaders, including himself, may eventually be replaced, but the party’s greater purpose will continue.
“If we fail to embrace this process, the party will lose relevance. One day, even I may be replaced. I want to make it clear that the party is greater than any leader, and no leader is irreplaceable. Even Lim Kit Siang will retire someday,” he added. Regarding the exclusion of prominent figures such as P Ramasamy and Chong Eng from the DAP candidate list for the upcoming election, Loke stated that the party made such considerations to make way for new candidates to serve the community.
“Some of these figures, like Ramasamy, have served three terms as Deputy Chief Minister, while Chong Eng has served a total of six terms as State Assemblyman and Member of Parliament since 1995. Hence, we believe it is essential to offer opportunities to new faces, and that’s what we have decided,” he explained. Earlier, five Penang DAP Exco members were dropped from the list of candidates for the upcoming election on August 12.
The Exco members excluded from the candidate list are Phee Boon Poh, Chong Eng, Soon Lip Chee, Yeoh Soon Hin, and P Ramasamy, who held various portfolios within the Penang government. The seats previously held by these members have been filled by new candidates, except for the Padang Lalang seat, which will be represented by Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, the incumbent assemblyman for Pengkalan Kota. For the Paya Terubong seat, formerly held by Soon Hin, it will be represented by Wong Hon Wai, a former Member of Parliament for Bukit Bendera.
