DAP national publicity secretary Teo Nie Ching said changing veterans for younger candidates in elections was a normal thing in any political party, and provided opportunities to youth to be part of politics.

“I feel it’s normal and DAP is no exception. PKR and Umno also dropped veterans in favour of new faces,” she said when asked about P. Ramasamy’s exit from DAP. 

Teo was speaking to the media after handing over donations to the owners of six houses involved in a fire in Jalan Ibrahim, Kulai, today.

She said his resignation will not affect DAP’s campaign and Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) chances to defend its hold on the state in the polls on Saturday, and that the party cannot block his decision.

“I think it’s up to the voters to decide, not only in Penang, but also in Selangor where there are some former executive councillors and assemblymen who were not nominated. They all reacted differently – some were disappointed, others campaigned to help candidates, and there were those who left their parties.

“I feel the people can see who is loyal to the party and who feels being a candidate is more important than championing the party’s agenda,” she said.

Ramasamy, who is former Perai assemblyman and Penang deputy chief minister, submitted his resignation to DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke and Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow this morning after voicing his dissatisfaction over being dropped from the polls. – Bernama, August 10, 2023.