SHAH ALAM: Selangor DAP may send potential candidates to contest seats in other states as the state has only been allocated four parliamentary seats, says Anthony Loke.
The DAP secretary-general said this was because there were at least ten potential MP candidates in Selangor.
"There are good candidates in Selangor but the number of parliamentary seats is limited,’’ Loke told journalists after launching the Selangor DAP convention 2024 here on Sunday (Nov 10).
“It won’t be a surprise if some Selangor leaders are chosen to contest elsewhere,’’ he added.
Loke said it would not be viable for the current Selangor DAP MP quartet made-up of Gobind Singh Deo (Damansara), Yeo Bee Yin (Puchong), Syahredzan Johan (Bangi) and V. Ganabatirau (Klang) to be replaced as they all excelled in the roles.
Earlier, in his speech at the opening of the convention, Loke had said that the DAP was undergoing a generational transition and when asked about the matter at the press conference, the Seremban MP said the party was grooming young leaders to come to the political forefront.
He cited as examples Penang, Pahang, Sabah and Johor where senior leaders had already "passed the baton" to younger counterparts.
“If you look, the average age of the state leadership is in the 40s.
“Gobind (Selangor DAP chairman Gobind Singh) is in his early 50s and I am 47,’’ said Loke, adding that party vice-chairman Nga Kor Ming was just 50.
“This generation is the core of the leadership at both national and state levels,’’ he said.
However, Loke added, there was a need to prepare younger leaders to take over and this was a natural process and not intended to push anyone (out).
He added some leaders had retired once they arrived at a certain age to allow younger leaders to helm the party.
On the election of the Selangor DAP new leadership line-up, Loke said the selection must represent the Chinese, Indians, and Malays as well as those belonging to the other races.
Adding that he also hoped the new leadership team would include more women, Loke said the line-up must reflect the party’s inclusivity as well as progressiveness.
There are currently five women in the state’s 15-member leadership team.
