Caretaker Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P Ramasamy has alleged “hidden hands” behind the selection of candidates for the party to be fielded in the upcoming state election.
The three-term lawmaker said it was obvious that all those who were in support of caretaker Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow were slashed from the candidates’ list as announced by party secretary-general Anthony Loke yesterday.
He said the reason given by the top party leadership to axe several of the incumbents was unacceptable.
“For me, and state executive council members Phee Boon Poh and Chong Eng, I can accept that we are dropped. But why axe the other performing excos like Yeoh Soon Hin and Soon Lip Chee, as well as Bagan Dalam assemblyman M Satees? You say it is about rejuvenation. These are young people who are performing.
“Is it because they are supportive of Chow, that they are slashed? How else do you explain the candidates’ selection? It is obvious that the selection is based on the nature of politics in Penang DAP. By that, I mean, the selection is made due to political alignment.
“Those seen to be close to Chow are axed while candidates behind the ‘hidden hands’ are all fielded. I raised this when I met Loke yesterday. I told him why the party can’t be more transparent and not come out with excuses,” he told the New Straits Times.
Ramasamy said, if indeed it was for the purpose of rejuvenation, then why were there those who had served as long as him not axed.
“The party needs to come out with clear guidelines and rules so as to be seen as being transparent,” he added.