CHOW Kon Yeow has downplayed claims that hidden hands had selected the party’s line up for the August 12 state election, which saw several veterans dropped as candidates.

Chow said the final list of candidates was made by a five-person candidate committee.

“We have accepted the decision made by the committee,” he told a press conference today.

His comments come after DAP’s Bagan Dalam incumbent M. Satees lashed out at the party, claiming that it is in danger of being controlled by an “emperor”.

Satees suggested yesterday, a day after he and several other DAP incumbents were dropped by the party as candidates. He said the so-called emperor is seeking to eliminate those who do not bow down to certain orders.

“They say the reason several former assemblymen were dropped is for renewal, new blood and what not. The real reason is one person wants to control Penang,” he was quoted as saying during a press conference in Penang.

“I believe that Penang is now in a dangerous position where one figure is making all the decisions.

“Penang has achieved commendable progress, but it should not be an excuse to allow any dictator to run rampant here.

“We have a democratic system. We don’t need any emperor. To the emperor, I’m telling you that you will not be emperor forever. Penang folk are not stupid.”

Satees did not name the individual he described as an emperor but claimed that all the incumbents dropped were aligned with caretaker chief minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Among those dropped were caretaker deputy chief minister II and incumbent Perai assemblyman P Ramasamy, 74, as well as women’s wing chief and Padang Lalang  incumbent Chong Eng, 66, Exco members Phee Boon Poh, 71,Yeoh Soon Hin and Soon Lip Chee,

Chow said the dropping of these candidates had triggered unhappiness among some in the party.

“We will make sure our election machinery is not affected even though there are some who have left the party or are contesting as independent candidates,” he said. –  July 27, 2023.