Two top Penang DAP leaders do not outrightly deny the existence of factions or cliques lobbying for posts in the run-up to the party’s state elections this Sunday, but say the situation is not serious.

They claim they are not jostling for places in the state committee or campaigning, but admitted they would face stiff competition as there are 49 candidates eyeing the 15 posts this time.

The scenario is different this time, too, as the DAP is in power in Penang, and have a position in the state committee is an attractive option.

“This is all part of the overall democratic process. Political alignment is normal in any party,” Deputy Chief Minister II and DAP state deputy chief P Ramasamy said.

Asked if there were different factions within the party, Ramasamy said, “This cannot be helped. Differences come based on values, ideologies, and personalities. I don’t believe there is any party in the world without differences.”

However, Ramasamy was quick to add that the DAP has managed those “differences” very well to date.

Look at the broader picture, delegates urged

The Prai assemblyperson then urged delegates to cast their sights on the broader picture and the necessity to strengthen the DAP and its links with other allies in Pakatan Rakyat in view of the 14th general election (GE14).

“To me these differences could be minimised and mitigated if we consider our common enemies - racism, Umno and BN,” said Ramasamy when met at his Deepavali open house in Prai last Saturday.

Asked about teams aligned with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who is also DAP secretary-general, and state chief Chow Kon Yeow competing to dominate the state line-up, Ramasamy said he has heard about the matter.

However, he said he cannot verify the speculation as “I am not privy to these things”.

Ramasamy is also aware of those who were dropped as candidates in GE13 who were reportedly attempting to make a comeback into the state committee.

These are former assemblypersons Koay Teng Hai (Pulau Tikus), Koid Teng Guan (Sungai Pinang) and Tan Beng Huat (Padang Lallang) who are often referred to as “disgruntled members” by their own comrades.

NONE Koid ( left ) has reportedly announced that he does not wish to join the race.

“But I don’t take these things seriously. Delegates vote the way they want and candidates will think about the larger dangers that affect the country and will somehow close ranks,” Ramasamy said.

Another hopeful, Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi, said he is contesting this round as there were 15 branches - a substantial number - which nominated him for the contest.

Ooi has been in the spotlight recently for openly castigating the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) for its alleged tardiness in addressing the issues of illegal hawking and the delay in processing multi-million ringgit development plans.

Chow is in charge of the MPPP and he is viewed largely as Lim’s man. Ooi’s grievances are therefore seen as an attack against the Padang Kota assemblyperson.

Denying he is anybody’s man, Ooi said his criticisms against MPPP, including labelling those sent to deal with him as ‘kucing kurap’ (small fry) has nothing to do with the coming state DAP elections.

‘They are not at each other’s throats’

Ooi does not deny there are cliques, but not factions, within the party, saying “they are not at each other’s throats”.

“I think everybody in the two different cliques are too eager to participate and get themselves involved (in the state committee),” he said when met yesterday, after his visit to the Jelutong Market.

“Even if they are factions, it is not surprising. In all parties they are factions, even within the democrats in the United States, there are factions,” he said.

NONE Nevertheless, these factions, if they do exist, are eager to get elected as they want to get involved (to contribute to the party), Ooi ( right ) explained.

This would eventually lead to “tension, attrition and conflict”, he added.

“But when all the dust is settled, I think we have only one common goal, that is to remove BN at the federal level while we maintain our stronghold in Penang. That is key,” he said.

On Friday, Chow was quick to dismiss even the slightest hint of him leading a team against his boss, asking reporters instead, “If you can name the team, I will reply to you”.

Chow pointed to several assemblypersons - Teh Lai Heng (Komtar) and Lau Keng Ee (Pengkalan Kota) and Tanjung MP Ng Wei Aik - who was at the same event with him, claiming, “I don’t know if they are in my team”.

Ng, Lim’s political secretary, is said to be at risk of losing his state secretary post and may lose a chance to serve in the state committee.

The Tanjong MP has been often dubbed as “Lim’s errant boy” by his internal rivals and may face the wrath of those who want to teach his boss a lesson.

NONE But Chow ( left in photo ) denied there are such internal campaigns going on, expressing hope that all elected state committee members would work with others to fight the BN, serve the rakyat and capture Putrajaya by 2018, the year slated for the next general election.

On Ooi’s harsh criticism indirectly hitting him as he oversees MPPP, Chow made light of the situation, saying it was incumbent on him to respond, no matter who raised the issue.

“It is my job to answer, and his (Ooi’s) job is to act as a watchdog against government agencies,” said Chow, who has been contesting the state committee post since 1989.