Charles: No arrangements for 2018 to be my last term

There were no arrangements nor any indication that 2018 would be the last term he would be fielded for the Klang parliamentary seat, incumbent MP Charles Santiago said.

According to him, the remark by DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, who claimed this, was instead an "afterthought" to mitigate the huge backlash over his replacement in the 15th general election (GE15) candidates list.

Charles said this in response to the recent statement by Loke that 2018 was supposed to have been the last term for Charles and that the latter had been notified accordingly.

"Let me make this clear: DAP never informed me that 2018 would be the last time I would be fielded as a candidate.

"There was no such arrangement and no indication about calls to replace me (or who made these calls) in 2013 or 2018, as suggested by Selangor DAP chairperson Gobind Singh Deo," Charles said in a statement today.

As such, Loke's remark was to mitigate the backlash over the exclusion of his name from the GE15 candidates' list, even before the official list was announced, he added.

"I am glad that both Loke and Gobind have recognised the magnanimity in which I have accepted the party’s decision but it’s unfortunate that they are resorting to such responses, given the massive public criticism.

"And even if the extent of the backlash freaks them out, it’s unbecoming of both Loke and Gobind to hint that they were doing me a favour by allowing me to continue as a lawmaker given that I do not hold positions in the party," Charles said.

Still betting on DAP

He went on to stress that he was still betting on seeing DAP do well in GE15, and for Pakatan Harapan to win the general election.

Nevertheless, he added, he needed to clear the air surrounding the matter (of his candidacy) as it involved his integrity.

"I will not be commenting about my candidacy anymore and I again appeal to the people of Klang to vote for a Harapan government.

"Let me set the record straight: I entered politics for the sole purpose of advancing the agenda of the people and giving voice to those who can't speak for themselves.

"DAP was the platform I chose, and it has been the best platform for me to do so, for which I am forever grateful. I was not in politics to build my faction," he said.

Earlier this week, DAP announced that Kota Kemuning assemblyperson V Ganabatirau would replace Charles as the candidate for Klang in GE15, after weeks of speculation.

Following the announcement, Charles urged his supporters to rally behind his replacement, Ganabatirau, to ensure a victory for Harapan.

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