Some DAP leaders say the party should adopt the proposal and not cater to an elite few.
GEORGE TOWN: The DAP central executive committee must have the courage to adopt Karpal Singh’s one-man one seat proposal
The DAP chairman Karpal Singh made this proposal some time ago and the party is divided whether to take a stand on this for the coming election.
The Pahang DAP deputy chairman J Apalasamy and Bagan division assistant secretary G Asoghan feel adopting Karpal’s proposal is the only way forward for the party.
They said the one man – one seat policy would create more space for new talents to emerge.
Since many strongly supported Karpal’s proposal, they warned that some leaders and members will be frustrated if the party failed to adopt the proposal merely to satisfy a few.
Apalasamy and Asoghan were commenting on a recent statement by party deputy chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw, who opposed Karpal’s proposal.
Tan was quoted as saying that the suggestion was not feasible and may not see the light of the day.
If adopted, the Kepong MP argued, the policy would cause a lot of dissatisfaction among current assemblymen and parliamentarians.
Apalasamy and Asoghan took Tan to task for seemingly suggesting that the ego and satisfaction of seven Peninsular-based double-seat representatives were far greater than wishes of thousands of grassroots leaders and members.
“Seng Giaw’s suggestion is a way backward, not forward,” said the duo.
If CEC failed to adopt the one man – one seat policy, Asoghan cautioned that majority members would perceive that the DAP leadership was using them to empower an elite few.
He said the party was not at all about seven double-seat holders, thus should uphold the rights of party grassroots and aspirations of the public.
“This is in line with the CAT theme of competency, accountability and transparency,” stressed Asoghan.
Bringing up fresh talents
Since the last general election, Apalasamy said many senior and new members have showed renewed enthusiasm to play active roles in the party.
He said the senior members, who have helped to build the party to its current strong political position, must be given due recognition.
“Hence, the seats must be distributed fairly and justly to accommodate these seniors and fresh talents,” he said.
Party supremo Karpal has proposed the one man – one seat policy with exceptions for candidates in Sabah and Sarawak, and Chief Minister of Penang, a post held by party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.
Lim is currently Air Putih assemblyman and Bagan MP.
The one man – one seat policy would affect double-seat holders in Penang such as state DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow (Padang Kota assemblyman and Tanjung MP) and Deputy Chief Minister II and party deputy secretary general P Ramasamy (Prai assemblyman and Batu Kawan MP).
Others who would be affected are Perak DAP chairman Ngeh Koo Ham (Sitiawan assemblyman and Beruas MP), Nga Kor Ming (Pantai Remis assemblyman and Taiping MP), DAP national organising secretary Teresa Kok (Kinrara assemblywoman and Seputeh MP) and national DAP Youth chief Anthony Loke Siew Fook (Lobak assemblyman and Rasah MP) who is also Negeri Sembilan Opposition.
Two more double-seat holders, DAP Sibu MP and Bukit Assek assemblyman Richard Wong Ho Leng, and Bandar Kuching MP and Bukit Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen, would likely benefit from the exception to rule for now.