BIG SHOWDOWN IN SELANGOR DAP AHEAD OF FIERY POLLS NEXT MONTH: TONY PUA & GOBIND AT RISK OF BEING OUSTED?

THE Selangor DAP elections are shaping up to be a battle between the grassroots and central leadership, with a candidate list being circulated showing more than 40 contenders for 15 state committee posts.

The list, sighted by The Malaysian Insight, showed that 17 state and federal lawmakers will fight it out with grassroots leaders.

However, it also included Damansara MP Tony Pua, who has announced that he will not defend his post as state DAP chairman.

His presence on the list has worried grassroots leaders that Pua may be attempting to stay on.

Those perceived to be Pua’s challengers, namely state exco Ng Sze Han, Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah, Sg Pelek rep Ronnie Liu, exco Teng Chang Khim and Selangor Speaker Ng Suee Lim, are on the list.

It cannot be determined whether the list is final or negotiations are ongoing.

The assemblymen on the list are Suee Lim, Liu, Ean Yong, Teng, Lee Kee Hiong, Lee Wai Chong, Wong Siew Ki, Rajiv Risyakaran, Jamiliah Jamaluddin, Tony Leong, V. Ganabatirau and Lau Weng San.

The three Selangor reps not contesting the polls are Dusun Tua’s Edry Faizal, Michelle Ng (Subang Jaya) and Lim Yi Wei (Kampung Tunku), with the latter two being Pua supporters.

Among the state DAP’s four MPs, only Klang’s Charles Santiago is not contesting. Apart from Pua, Bangi’s Ong Kian Ming, who is also deputy international trade and industry minister, and Puchong’s Gobind Singh Deo, who also holds the communications and multimedia portfolio, are on the list.

A DAP supporter wearing the party’s rocket logo on her face. Candidates for the Selangor DAP polls, which will take place on December 9, were supposed to have been confirmed on Monday, but the party’s election committee has yet to officially release the list. – EPA pic, November 30, 2018.

As for grassroots representation, Serdang DAP chairman Lee Jing Hong, Klang chairman Teng Mun Fatt, Klang secretary Lee Foo Hao and former Pandamaran rep Tan Pok Shyong look set to run in the elections.

It is understood that Pua’s strategy is to forgo the Selangor DAP chairman’s post in favour of a spot in the state committee. Although this has caused concern in the rival faction, many are not willing to openly support the five challenging Pua due to his influence in the state.

A Serdang DAP Youth leader told The Malaysian Insight that the grassroots have rejected Pua and his deputy, Gobind, and want to see new faces in the two positions.

“The grassroots are not happy with Pua, especially regarding the candidate selection for elections.”

The Selangor DAP polls will take place on December 9. Nomination has been wrapped up, with 45 names submitted.

The candidates were supposed to have been confirmed on Monday, but the party’s election committee has yet to officially release the list.

Many state DAP leaders The Malaysian Insight spoke to said they have heard about a plot to have Pua replaced by Sze Han, but this has not been confirmed.

They said Pua has the backing of the DAP central leadership and is the political secretary to Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, who is also the party’s secretary-general.

Any move to oust Pua carries the risk of raising the ire of the central leadership, they said. 

THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT