Explain Santiago’s status in GE15, Indian groups tell Gobind

 

Selangor DAP chairman Gobind Singh Deo and other members of DAP’s state committee have been invited to a meeting to clarify matters concerning former Klang MP Charles Santiago. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: A coalition of 12 Indian NGOs, known as i-25, has invited Selangor DAP chairman Gobind Singh Deo to a meeting to clarify claims that three-term Klang MP Charles Santiago would be dropped as a candidate in the 15th general election (GE15).

“We humbly invite Gobind and members of DAP’s state committee for a Deepavali lunch or dinner this week to explain the status of the candidate for Klang in GE15,” said the coalition’s spokesman SP Nathan during an event here.

“They (DAP) may have their own reasons. We want them to explain to us their reasons so that we can go back and inform our members.”

Nathan said the Indian community in Klang was baffled that an MP who was known for his competency, parliamentary performance, community service, local initiatives and hard work, was being sidelined by DAP.

“This has caused confusion, frustration and even anger in the community,” he said.

“Specifically, why is the party which approached Indian NGOs to nominate a competent candidate now marginalising the same person who has remained competent?” Nathan asked.

He said that after the Hindraf rally in 2007, DAP had approached Indian NGOs to recommend candidates who could represent their aspirations as well as subscribe to the party’s core values.

Nathan said Santiago was recommended and accepted by DAP’s leadership based on his record and performance as a professional and an activist.

He pointed out that Santiago first won the Klang constituency in GE12 and defended it with increasing margins in GE13 and GE14.

An economist by training, Santiago won the Klang seat in GE12 with a 17,701-vote majority, which increased to a 24,685-vote majority in GE13 and a 78,773-vote majority in GE14.

Nathan added that support for Santiago cut across ethnic boundaries, so much so that his supporters had rejected the rumoured replacement.

On Sept 27, The Star quoted a DAP source as saying that three-term Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah would be fielded as a candidate for Klang in place of Santiago.

The next day, Santiago announced he had no plans to vacate his Klang parliamentary seat and expressed his gratitude to those who supported him.

A party source has since told FMT that DAP might drop Santiago from its GE15 lineup, adding that V Ganabatirau, the Selangor exco for social welfare and employee empowerment, was likely to replace him instead of Ean Yong. - FMT