The Klang MP and easy political bullets

 

From SP Nathan

Talk is rife that DAP is contemplating replacing former Klang MP Charles Santiago with another candidate.

This has raised the concern of many within and outside the Klang constituency about the politics at play within the hierarchy of DAP.

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Klang has become a fortress for DAP since 2008, and perhaps that is giving the confidence that whoever the candidate, Klang will remain with DAP.

I think DAP should take note of what caretaker Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said in Bagan Datuk to the Umno faithful last week.

“The days of Barisan Nasional (BN) winning with even a ‘songkok’ as a candidate have gone,” he said.

Basically, he said that the electorate has become discerning and does not vote blindly anymore.

After the Hindraf rally in 2007, DAP approached Indian NGOs and asked if anyone would be interested in standing for the 2008 elections.

Politically, DAP wanted to take advantage of the prevailing Indian sentiments then.

Among the few who accepted was Santiago, who was willing to stand in the polls supported by his friends in the NGO world and others.

In those days, Klang was a BN fortress. To use Ismail’s anecdote, any “songkok” could have won the Klang seat for BN.

Many were not sure if Santiago was making the right decision, and there were some who thought he might lose his deposit.

But history was created.

And when Mr Charles Santiago became YB Charles Santiago, he worked himself to the ground.

He knew that outside the NGO world, he was an unknown. He was not known to rant for political mileage. He was an intellectual but was able to reach out to all. Coming from an NGO background, he was able to understand the plight of the downtrodden.

He was a simple man. He was comfortable with his short-sleeved checked shirt and sandals. No big entourage accompanied him when he moved around, unlike some other politicians.

Therefore, to hear of DAP wanting to ditch Santiago for another candidate is unsettling for the people in the NGO world and others.

It is also worrying for Indians.

There are not many Indian politicians who are as adept as Santiago in the world of service and helping the community. He understands Indian issues as no other. In fact, he understands the plight of all Malaysians who are downtrodden.

So I hope DAP will realise this and not sacrifice a hard working, sincere and principled politician for the sake of party politics.

The repercussions will be great, not only in Klang but wherever DAP stands where there are Indian voters.

Do not give easy political bullets to your opponents. - FMT

SP Nathan is an FMT reader.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.