Ramasamy faces the axe in Perai

 

Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy looks likely to be dropped as a candidate in the coming state election.

It is learnt that the three-term Perai assemblyman will be asked to step down as DAP embarks on a path to inject new blood into its line-up, with most of the party’s senior leaders allowed to serve a maximum of three terms.

The state polls are likely to be held in June or July.

Ramasamy, 74, who is also Penang DAP deputy chairman, admitted that there had been talk about dropping him but he remained hopeful that he could defend his seat.

“I would like to stand again. I believe the Chief Minister has yet to make any decision. The list of potential candidates has not been submitted to the central leadership.

“I believe I have a good relationship with the Federal Government, and that being vocal does not mean I am against the party leadership,” he said.

Ramasamy, a former Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia lecturer, is no stranger to controversies, especially in spats with preacher Zakir Naik and the Kedah government.

His most recent controversy was when he commented about the racial composition of the civil service.

His statement that the civil service needed a shake-up did not go down too well with many, including some Pakatan Harapan leaders.

Some even wanted DAP to sack him, but Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dismissed the episode as Ramasamy’s personal opinion.

Last Sunday, the rumour mill went into overdrive, based on his “body language” during a cake-cutting ceremony to mark the party’s 57th anniversary in Butterworth.

Pictures of Ramasamy keeping a distance from party comrades such as DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, national chairman Lim Guan Eng and state chairman Chow Kon Yeow went viral on social media.

Ramasamy dismissed the claims.

“People should not read too much into everything on social media. It is petty to say I distanced myself from party leaders during the ceremony,” he said.

Ramasamy, who is often called “Prof” by his supporters, is also the state education, human capital and science and technology committee chairman, and also heads the Penang Hindu Endowments Board.

It is believed that he had been offered the Batu Kawan parliamentary seat in the 15th General Election, but declined.

Early this month, he had reportedly pushed for a senator’s post for his protege, Seberang Prai City councillor David Marshel.

However, DAP eventually nominated former Sungai Bakap Hospital director Dr Lingeshwaran R. Arunasalam.

Ramasamy first won the Perai constituency in 2008, and also won the Batu Kawan MP seat by beating then chief minister Datuk Seri Koh Tsu Koon.

He defended his state seat in 2013 and 2018.

In 2018, he won with a majority of 9,049 votes, beating Barisan Nasional’s Suresh Muniandy and four others.

With Ramasamy’s fate in the balance, several names have been bandied about as possible candidates for Perai, including a corporate leader on the Penang mainland. - Star