GE14 was meant to be Charles' last term - Anthony Loke
Even before DAP officially announced on Wednesday night that the party was replacing popular incumbent Klang MP Charles Santiago as a candidate, the electorate had made their discontent over the decision clear.
Throughout the speculation that Charles would be dropped as a candidate in the forthcoming 15th general election (GE15), the incumbent lawmaker had also indicated that he was ready and willing to serve his constituency again.
However, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said the party had already agreed that the 2018 general election would be Charles’ last time contesting.
“The understanding for Charles is that 2018 was his last term when he was nominated. He was told at that time (that it would be his last term),” Loke (above) said in an interview with Malaysiakini at the DAP headquarters yesterday.
Pressed further on why such an agreement was made in 2018, Loke sidestepped the question by saying he was not in charge at the time and that Selangor DAP chairperson Gobind Singh Deo would be more suited to answering this question.
Loke also declined to comment further when asked about Charles’ willingness to contest in Klang again in GE15, saying the matter was resolved as Charles had accepted the party’s decision.
Incumbent Klang MP Charles Santiago
On Wednesday night, DAP announced that Kota Kemuning assemblyperson V Ganabatirau would replace Charles as the candidate for Klang in GE15, after weeks of speculation.
Shortly after the announcement, Charles urged his supporters to rally behind Ganabatirau, who he said would share his and his electorate’s ideals.
Charles, who was previously a water rights activist, has been Klang’s elected representative for three terms since the 2008 general election.
Gobind was previously reported saying that Charles had been given the opportunity to serve Klang for three terms and that the party should give others the same opportunity he had been given.
Loke also pointed out that Charles was given a chance to contest for three terms, despite not holding any position in the party.
“For someone who does not hold any party position but was MP for three terms, it is quite remarkable.
“Tell me, which party can give a candidate three terms without a party position? None, only DAP,” he said.
Charles is magnanimous
Similar to Gobind, Loke said changing candidates is something normal in every election as, without change, there will never be any new faces coming up.
On Wednesday night, DAP announced that Kota Kemuning assemblyperson V Ganabatirau would replace Charles as the candidate for Klang in GE15, after weeks of speculation.
Shortly after the announcement, Charles urged his supporters to rally behind Ganabatirau, who he said would share his and his electorate’s ideals.
Charles, who was previously a water rights activist, has been Klang’s elected representative for three terms since the 2008 general election.
Gobind was previously reported saying that Charles had been given the opportunity to serve Klang for three terms and that the party should give others the same opportunity he had been given.
Loke also pointed out that Charles was given a chance to contest for three terms, despite not holding any position in the party.
“For someone who does not hold any party position but was MP for three terms, it is quite remarkable.
“Tell me, which party can give a candidate three terms without a party position? None, only DAP,” he said.
Charles is magnanimous
Similar to Gobind, Loke said changing candidates is something normal in every election as, without change, there will never be any new faces coming up.
Selangor DAP chairperson Gobind Singh Deo
He also stressed that there are many roles that one can play in the party, aside from being a candidate in elections.
“Charles is definitely someone we will appreciate. I personally will make sure he has roles to play in the party,” added the party secretary-general.
Expressing his gratitude for Charles’ acceptance of the party’s decision, Loke compared the former’s reaction to what incumbent Bentong MP Wong Tack did after finding out he has been dropped in favour of another candidate.
DAP also recently announced Wong would be replaced with incumbent Ketari assemblyperson Young Syefura Othman as the Bentong candidate.
Wong then said he intends to contest in Bentong as an independent candidate under the “people’s ticket”.
Loke said Charles’ “magnanimous” reaction should be emulated by others.
“That is the way to go. I mean, before the decision is made, you can argue, put up your case and lobby, but the moment the decision is made, you are a party man, you have to respect the decision.
“I will say this openly. I am thankful to (Charles) for being magnanimous and being a party man,” Loke added.
He also stressed that there are many roles that one can play in the party, aside from being a candidate in elections.
“Charles is definitely someone we will appreciate. I personally will make sure he has roles to play in the party,” added the party secretary-general.
Expressing his gratitude for Charles’ acceptance of the party’s decision, Loke compared the former’s reaction to what incumbent Bentong MP Wong Tack did after finding out he has been dropped in favour of another candidate.
DAP also recently announced Wong would be replaced with incumbent Ketari assemblyperson Young Syefura Othman as the Bentong candidate.
Wong then said he intends to contest in Bentong as an independent candidate under the “people’s ticket”.
Loke said Charles’ “magnanimous” reaction should be emulated by others.
“That is the way to go. I mean, before the decision is made, you can argue, put up your case and lobby, but the moment the decision is made, you are a party man, you have to respect the decision.
“I will say this openly. I am thankful to (Charles) for being magnanimous and being a party man,” Loke added.
"That is the way to go. I mean, before the decision is made, you can argue, put up your case and lobby, but the moment the decision is made, you are a party man, you have to respect the decision."
ReplyDeleteComment: I agree with this argument. At the same time, had Santiago decided to stand as an independent because of the clamour of many people and organisations within the constituency, one cannot begrudge him.
Similarly, in the case of Wong Tack, the only option left is for Wong Tack to leave DAP since he seems adamant to stand as an independent. Of course the party should sack him if he does not stand down from wanting to stand as an independent.