DAP will keep its options open and not confine the Bangi parliamentary candidate to current assemblymen, said Anthony Loke.

“There are no such restrictions. The candidate can be anybody as the conditions to be a parliamentary candidate are very simple.

“As long as you’re a Malaysian citizen, above 18 years old and a DAP member, you are eligible,” said the DAP secretary-general in Sg Chua today.

Loke, who was flanked by Bangi MP Ong Kian MIng, was responding to a question on whether the next Bangi candidate will come from DAP’s existing assemblymen in the parliamentary constituency.

Ong on Monday announced that he does not plan on defending Bangi in the 15th general election.

The Bangi parliamentary constituency has three state seats – Sg Ramal, Balakong and Kajang. The Sg Ramal seat is held by PKR’s Mazwan Johar, Balakong by DAP’s Wong Siew Kee and Kajang by PKR’s Hee Loy Sian.

Ong, who is the former deputy international trade and industry minister, first won the then Serdang seat in 2013 by defeating MCA veteran and former MP Yap Pian Hon by garnering 79,238 votes (67.98%).

In 2018, Ong defended the enlarged Bangi constituency (renamed after the 2018 delineation exercise) by defeating MCA’s Liew Yuen Keong, PAS’ Shafie Ngah and PRM’s Dennis Wan after polling 102,557 votes (65.6%).

DAP first won the Serdang seat in the 2008 tsunami general election after Teo Nie Ching defeated MCA’s Hoh Hee Lee after winning 64.23% (47,444) of the votes.

Meanwhile, Loke dismissed rumours that more DAP lawmakers will opt not to contest in the next general election following Ong’s announcement.

“As far as I know, the only MP to have made this announcement is Ong. No other announcements have been made and there are no other decisions by other MPs,” said the Seremban MP.

He said however that there will be new candidates emerging in the next elections.

“In every election, there are bound to be new candidates,” said the former transport minister.

Loke was responding to a question on whether Damansara MP Tony Pua will follow Ong’s footsteps. – May 11, 2022.