THE Penang DAP will start interviewing the proposed candidates nominated by its state DAP branches tonight, in preparation for the state and national elections.
Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the special interview session would be held to understand the choices the political party has and to look for potential candidates.
“We have received more than 30 new names, nominated by the respective state party branches. The number of proposed names excluded the incumbents.
“The proposed candidates will be interviewed by a five-member panel from the state DAP, which includes me, the Penang DAP deputy and vice-chairmen, and the secretary.
“After we have met with the proposed candidates, we will be listening to the incumbents,” he replied to a reporter during a media conference in Komtar today.
He said that the proposed candidates come from various professions.
“We have councillors of the Penang local governments, lawyers, businessmen, and others,” he said, adding that there were also those who have been party members for many years.
Chow said the interview session was expected to last for up to four days.
“We will then have our discussion after the interview session,” he said, adding that the list of candidates could never be finalised until the Nomination Day.
Chow said the special interview session had been practised for many years now, perhaps since four elections ago.
“Among the criteria which we are looking for in the potential candidate are the experience in politics, services rendered when holding a political position, profession, academic achievements, language proficiency, experiences in working among the people, new ideas in political direction, aspirations, and others,” he said.
Chow said that as the incumbent state government, the Penang government would want to ensure that it has given confidence to the people.
“We want to give confidence to the people that we are a government that has potential and can be trusted, a government that has provided its best services to the rakyat, and a government that can bring Penang to greater heights in terms of socioeconomic development,” he said.
On a separate note, Chow said the Penang Pakatan Harapan secretary has issued a notice to its component parties urging them to submit their proposals regarding seat allocation of the respective component parties.
“The various component parties have to submit their proposals so that the matter can be discussed at the coming state Pakatan Harapan leadership meeting.
“The national Pakatan Harapan leadership has allowed the various Pakatan Harapan-led states to reach consensus with regards to the seat allocation of the respective component parties,” he said.
Chow urged the voters to ‘come out and vote’ during the election.
“Do not be disheartened because of the incidents which had happened in our country. There is still hope.
“Because of what is happening in our country, it urges us to come out in huge numbers to vote.
“We must not let go of our responsibility to vote for a government which will be formed after the election,” he said.