DAP will not accept incumbent Pengkalan Batu state assemblyperson Norhizam Hassan Baktee as a candidate for the upcoming Malacca state election.
This was amid a bid by Norhizam and three other politicians formerly with the BN-led state government to contest the upcoming snap polls under Pakatan Harapan's banner.
Speaking at a press conference in Malacca today, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng bluntly said, "DAP outright rejects Pengkalan Batu (Norhizam) as a candidate."
Lim declined to elaborate why, or comment on any possibility that Norhizam may contest as a PKR candidate instead.
Norhizam was previously a DAP assemblyperson but defected to help form the Umno-Bersatu state government.
He later turned against the Umno-Bersatu state government, along with Bersatu's Noor Effandi Ahmad (Telok Mas), Umno's Idris Haron (Sungai Udang), and Azman Hassan (Pantai Kundor).
The quartet was reportedly given a hero's welcome at a Harapan event last night, which ruffled feathers among those in DAP and PKR.
On a related matter, Lim said Harapan will use the coalition's logo in the upcoming state election.
They also want Malacca Harapan chief Adly Zahari to be the coalition's chief minister candidate, citing his good track record while holding the state's top post from 2018 to 2020.
"I hope there are no doubts on this matter (Adly as chief minister candidate)," Lim said.
While seemingly innocuous, Lim's announcements may upset coalition partner PKR.
PKR has been fighting for its party logo to be used by the Harapan coalition in elections - in hopes of repeating its 2018 general election success.
DAP and Amanah, however, have been adamant about using the Harapan logo.
Meanwhile, there is speculation that PKR information chief Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin may be eyeing the chief minister post.
Shamsul was widely believed to be a chief minister candidate in 2018, but such plans were dashed when he failed to win a state seat.
Since the Malacca state assembly was dissolved, Shamsul has been active in state politics again and is seen to be a conduit for Idris' faction with Harapan.
Last month, the PKR MP even spoke on behalf of the rebels when announcing that they would be appealing to Istana Negara to overturn the legislature's dissolution. - Mkini
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