Teresa, Ronnie not defending state seats

Selangor state exco members Teresa Kok and Ronnie Liu are not defending their respective state assembly seats in Kinrara and Pandamaran in the looming general election.

While Kok ( left ) will still be defending her Seputeh parliamentary seat, Liu, however, has been dropped from the party candidacy list altogether.

Meanwhile, DAP election strategist Ong Kian Ming has been named the Serdang parliamentary candidate today, replacing the incumbent Teo Nie Ching as she has been picked for the Kulai parliamentary seat in Johor.

As for party maverick Teng Chang Khim, he will be defending his state assembly seat in Sungai Pinang.

Another prominent name on the candidacy list is Ganabatirau Veraman, one of five Hindraf leaders detained under the Internal Security Act following the movement’s 2007 rally.

He is to replace incumbent M Manoharan, former fellow ISA detainee and Hindraf leader, in May 5 polls.

In total, DAP will be fielding ten fresh faces in Selangor; one out of four at the parliamentary level and nine out of the 15 state seats it is contesting.

Lim: Decision to drop Kinrara was Kok's

To a question, party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said it was Kok’s wish to contest only in the parliamentary seat, but declined to comment on the reasons why other incumbents were dropped.

“These decisions are based on inputs and views by various parties, so I think we will leave it at that.

“We wish to thank them (the incumbents) for their services and hope that all can work together towards ensuring success in the coming general election,” Lim said.

Other incumbents who will not be defending their seats include Jenice Lee (Teratai), Dr Cheah Wing Yin (Damansara Utama), Yap Lum Chin (Balakong), M Manoharan (Kota Alam Shah) and Philip Tan (Teluk Datuk).

Prior to this, speculation has already been rife that Lee ( right ) and Liu will not be fielded as candidates for the Selangor state assembly.

However, it was expected that Kok will be asked to focus on Selangor instead.

Meanwhile for Melaka, incumbent Kota Laksamana assemblyperson Betty Chew, who has announced that she will not be contesting, will be replaced by Lai Keun Ban, a veteran state assemblyperson from the 90’s.

The full list of Selangor DAP candidates are as follows:

Parliament

• Serdang – Ong Kian Ming

• Puchong – Gobind Singh Deo

• Petaling Jaya Utara – Tony Pua

• Klang – Charles Santiago

State

• Sekinchan – Ng Suee Lim

• Kuala Kubu Bahru – Lee Kee Hiong

• Teratai – Tiew Way Keng

• Kinrara – Ng Sze Han

• Kampung Tunku – Lau Weng San

• Damansara Utama – Yeo Bee Yin

• Balakong – Ng Tien Chee

• Sri Kembangan – Ean Yong Hian Wah

• Subang Jaya – Hannah Yeoh Tseow Suan

• Bukit Gasing – Rajiv Rishyakaran

• Sungai Pinang – Teng Chang Khim

• Pandamaran – Tan Pok Shyong

• Kota Alam Shah – Ganabatirau Veraman

• Teluk Datuk – Loh Chee Heng

• Sungai Pelek – Lai Nyuk Lan

The full list of DAP Melaka candidates:

Parliament

• Alor Gajah – Yeo Shen Li

• Kota Melaka – Sim Tong Him

State

• Kelebang – Liou Chen Kuang

• Bachang – Lim Jak Wong

• Ayer Keroh – Khoo Poay Tiong

• Kesidang – Chin Choong Seong

• Kota Laksamana – Lai Keun Ban

• Duyong – Goh Leong San

• Bandar Hilir – Tey Kok Kiew

• Bemban – Gandhi Rajan Nalliah