Two Malacca DAP camps team up, announce preferred party election candidates

 

Malacca DAP leadership has officially announced their favourable candidates, a month prior to the party’s state convention.

The announcement was jointly made by Malacca DAP chief Tey Kok Kiew and vice-chairperson Khoo Poay Tiong yesterday afternoon.

They released the “15+5” candidate list, which comprises representatives from both Tey's and Khoo's camps, during a press conference in Malacca, which was also attended by DAP veteran leader Lim Kit Siang.

There are only 15 elected members in every DAP state committee.

For Malacca, the current leadership has recommended 15 candidates to contest in the state party election and another five representatives will be co-opted to the state committee if the team wins.

According to Tey, he and Khoo will “lead by example” by not contesting in the state convention, together with another three DAP assemblypersons.

“I will lead by example. In this 20-person list, 15 of them will be nominated, the rest will be listed as the co-opted members. All Malacca DAP parliamentarian and assemblypersons are already on the list.

“So, five of us will not be contesting. Once our team wins, they will appoint us into the state committee,” he explained.

Tey Kok Kiew

Tey also told Malaysiakini that he will hand over the list to the DAP headquarters tomorrow.

Currently, Malacca DAP has one parliamentarian, Khoo (Kota Melaka) and seven assemblypersons.

Khoo also stressed that he fully supported the idea and agreed to team up with Tey in this state election.

This is because the DAP needs to unite as a team in order to face the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic and political turmoil, Khoo said.

“First, people are already frustrated and disgusted with the current development of Malaysian politics. We must unite and rebuild the trust of the voters.

“Second, we must stand together with the rakyat to face the challenge of the pandemic. Thirdly, the general election may be held anytime. If DAP wants to regain the power, then we must unite to make sure we will continue to keep our electoral records in Malacca,” he said.

Khoo said the grassroots and branches are also very supportive of the decision.

Khoo Poay Tiong

He also told Malaysiakini that they have reached a consensus to put their own candidates into the same list, which was agreed to by their branches.

Meanwhile, Lim said he was proud that Malacca DAP decided to “reunite”.

“I am proud that Malacca is starting a new political venture to reunite, reunify and re-inspire Malaysians inside and outside DAP that the dream for Malaysia to become a world-class great nation is very much alive.

“We must invest all available resources and energies to ensure that the Malaysian Dream to be a world-class great nation can succeed with the unity, effort and commitment of all Malaysians,” Lim said.

In October 2018, Tey’s camp secured overwhelming support during the triennial state party election while Khoo’s camp was trounced. Khoo was appointed as the vice-chairperson after the defeat.

Last month, China Press reported that there was a suggestion within Malacca DAP to hold their party’s convention in a non-competitive manner, in order to avoid factional issues between the camps behind Tey and Khoo.

The nomination will be cut off on March 19 while the state convention will be held on April 18. This time, 554 delegates from 76 branches will vote for the new leadership in Malacca.

The chosen candidates from Tey and Khoo’s camps are as follows:

• Damian Yeo Shen Li (Duyong assemblyperson)
• G Saminathan Ganesan (Gadek assemblyperson)
• Low Chee Leong (Kota Laksamana assemblyperson)
• Wong Kim Yong
• Yong Yoon Pin
• Leng Chau Yen
• Lui Poh Siong
• Lee Heng
• Mok Lee Fatt
• Choo Kim Huie
• Ho Yoke Sun
• Tong Tat Yoong
• Lim Ah Hook
• Poh Chiou Shya
• Lim Kwok Thuan
• Tey Kok Kiew (Bandar Hilir assemblyperson)
• Khoo Poay Tiong (Kota Melaka MP)
• Wong Fort Pin (Bemban assemblyperson)
• Seah Shoo Chin (Kesidang assemblyperson)
• Kerk Chee Yee (Ayer Keroh assemblyperson)

- Mkini