PRAI: Non-governmental groups have come forward to urge DAP to field incumbents Chong Eng and Dr. P. Ramasamy in the coming Penang state election.

Chong Eng is chairman of DAP women’s wing while Dr. Ramasamy is Deputy Chief Minister of Penang.

Chong Eng said age should not be the only yardstick to assess one’s ability to serve.

“The party should look into the performance of the elected representative in five years. The decision should be fair, transparent and reasonable for one to accept instead of deciding based on one’s preference,” she said.

The Bukit Mertajam Women’s Rights Awareness Association, NGO Wanita Prihatin Pulau Pinang, Pertubuhan Alumni Sidang Wanita Pulau Pinang, Women’s Center for Change (WCC) and others have since come forward to support her as she raises women’s issues.

Chong is one of the few woman leaders in politics having started the all-women assembly in Penang in 2020 as a way of increasing women’s participation in politics.

Close to 30 temples, business groups and local community leaders have also requested Pakatan Harapan to field Dr. Ramasamy in Prai state constituency or they would not support PH in the state election.

In a press conference, the group said they would not want to support a candidate who is not a local.

Chong Eng, 66, Dr. Ramasamy, 74 and Phee Boon Poh, 71, are rumored to be dropped by DAP in the coming state election to pave way for new blood.

The Penang DAP submitted its list of candidates to party secretary-general Anthony Loke on Thursday.

State DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the candidate selection committee at the national level would make a final decision.

Penang DAP will contest 19 of the 40 state seats.