DAP drops Charles Santiago in Klang as part of Selangor seat shake-up
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke (centre) poses with the party’s Selangor candidates for the 15th general election, at an event in Kelana Jaya on Oct 26, 2022. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa
Wednesday, 26 Oct 2022 10:53 PM MYT
PETALING JAYA, Oct 26 — Incumbent three-term MP Charles Santiago has been dropped as the DAP candidate for Klang in the 15th general election.
When unveiling Selangor DAP’s GE15 candidates today, party secretary-general Anthony Loke said V Ganabatirau will contest the seat instead of Charles who first won the seat in 2008.
Ganabatirau is the current Selangor exco for social welfare and employee empowerment.
Prior to the announcement, rumours that Charles would be dropped had already been spreading, prompting some non-governmental groups and supporters to launch a campaign advocating for him to be retained.
Selangor DAP chief Gobind Singh Deo, the incumbent Puchong MP, was announced as candidate for the Damansara federal seat, replacing incumbent Tony Pua who is not seeking re-election.
Incumbent Bakri MP Yeo Bee Yin was named as the candidate for Puchong to fill in Gobind's vacancy.
Civil liberties lawyer Syahredzan Johan was also announced as the candidate for Bangi, replacing incumbent Ong Kian Ming who is also not seeking re-election.
Their announcements also coincided with the Malaysian Cup Round of 16 first-leg match between Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) and PJ City taking place at the adjacent MPBJ Stadium.
DAP contested all four aforementioned federal seats in the 2018 general election and won.
Met by reporters later, Gobind said the Pakatan Harapan coalition has yet to decide who will contest the Tanjong Karang seat and will finalise this over the weekend, before suggesting it could go to the allied Malaysia United Democratic Alliance (Muda).
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Gobind: Charles always knew clock was ticking on his time as Klang MP
Gobind Singh Deo speaks to reporters at a DAP fundraiser in Kelana Jaya on Oct 26, 2022. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa
Thursday, 27 Oct 2022 12:21 AM MYT
PETALING JAYA, Oct 27 — Incumbent Klang MP Charles Santiago was aware there were requests to replace him going back as far as the 2013 general election, Selangor DAP chief Gobind Singh Deo said yesterday.
Calling the decision to drop Charles in Klang difficult, Gobind conceded that some within the party had been proposing replacements ever since the activist was first elected in 2008 on a DAP ticket.
“Suffice for me to say that we have given him a lot of opportunities to stand in Klang in 2008, 2013 and 2018; he is fully aware of the fact, the request for replacement, you know as far as 2013 and subsequently in 2018.
“Of course, I was able to speak to the leadership for him to carry on (as MP) and that was done.
“We have four seats in Selangor. We have to look and consider different persons or new personalities to take over in Parliament,” he told reporters after a party fundraising dinner at the MBPJ Stadium carpark here last night.
In Charles’ case, Gobind said the party had to give others the same opportunity he had been given.
“Other people had put forward names. In respect of other candidates, we need to move forward. Santiago was given the opportunity. Three terms.”
When asked about the outpouring of support from the community for Charles, Gobind said the candidate replacing him, V. Ganabatirau, would win them over in time.
“YB Gana has been an elected rep and exco, in terms of dealing with issues on the ground you can see his record in his area.
“He (Gana) is to me an exco that has performed,” Gobind added.
Earlier tonight, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke announced Ganabatirau as the party’s candidate for Klang, replacing the three-term incumbent Charles.
Prior to the announcement, rumours that Charles would be dropped had already been spreading, prompting some non-governmental groups and supporters to launch a campaign advocating for him to be retained.
Thursday, 27 Oct 2022 12:21 AM MYT
PETALING JAYA, Oct 27 — Incumbent Klang MP Charles Santiago was aware there were requests to replace him going back as far as the 2013 general election, Selangor DAP chief Gobind Singh Deo said yesterday.
Calling the decision to drop Charles in Klang difficult, Gobind conceded that some within the party had been proposing replacements ever since the activist was first elected in 2008 on a DAP ticket.
“Suffice for me to say that we have given him a lot of opportunities to stand in Klang in 2008, 2013 and 2018; he is fully aware of the fact, the request for replacement, you know as far as 2013 and subsequently in 2018.
“Of course, I was able to speak to the leadership for him to carry on (as MP) and that was done.
“We have four seats in Selangor. We have to look and consider different persons or new personalities to take over in Parliament,” he told reporters after a party fundraising dinner at the MBPJ Stadium carpark here last night.
In Charles’ case, Gobind said the party had to give others the same opportunity he had been given.
“Other people had put forward names. In respect of other candidates, we need to move forward. Santiago was given the opportunity. Three terms.”
When asked about the outpouring of support from the community for Charles, Gobind said the candidate replacing him, V. Ganabatirau, would win them over in time.
“YB Gana has been an elected rep and exco, in terms of dealing with issues on the ground you can see his record in his area.
“He (Gana) is to me an exco that has performed,” Gobind added.
Earlier tonight, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke announced Ganabatirau as the party’s candidate for Klang, replacing the three-term incumbent Charles.
Prior to the announcement, rumours that Charles would be dropped had already been spreading, prompting some non-governmental groups and supporters to launch a campaign advocating for him to be retained.
V. Ganabatirau has reputation of being a hot head... DAP may live to regret it's choice.
ReplyDeleteCharles Santiago's iconic photo was with him wading in duck boots through flood waters during last year's deluge in Klang.. he's a real Yang Bekhidmat.
Salute !