Jeff Ooi might not defend Jelutong for a 3rd term

GEORGE TOWN: Jelutong member of Parliament Jeff Ooi might not get an opportunity to defend the constituency for a third term in the 14th general election (GE14).
Going by Penang DAP chairperson Chow Kon Yeow's contention that the socialist party would make the necessary changes to refresh the party ahead of GE14, it is now learnt that Ooi may be dropped.
Ooi is among eight candidates who may either be removed or relocated to other seats.
Berapit incumbent Lydia Ong Kok Fooi was removed while Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu opted to quit the party and Pulau Tikus representative Yap Soo Huey will not seek another term, as she intends to further her studies.
Their respective replacements are Heng Lee Lee, Zairil Khir Johari and Chris Lee Chun Kit.
Ooi made a name for himself in the early 2000s as a blogger, and his blog which gained traction among the public was also hosted by an upcoming alternative news portal.
Earlier, Ooi said he hoped to continue as he has four pet projects to help realise for Jelutong, a constituency associated with former DAP chairperson the late Karpal Singh, who earned the nickname "Tiger of Jelutong."
The four projects entail the relocation of the Jelutong solid waste dump site to the mainland, affordable housing projects, the upgrading of the wet market and new social amenities.
There is also speculation on whether Tanjong Member of Parliament Ng Wei Aik, Paya Terubong assemblyman Yeoh Soon Hin, Seri Delima assemblyman R.S.N. Rayer, Batu Kawan Member of Parliament Kasthuriraani Patto, Prai assemblyman Prof Dr P. Ramasamy and Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Lau Keng Ee may be retained for their respective seats.
Meanwhile, speculation continues to surround the status of Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon, on whether he would be relocated to a parliament seat.
If he does, it effectively means that the DAP-led state government will once again have a new deputy chief minister should Pakatan Harapan win the state.
Rashid, who is the present incumbent for the Pantai Jerejak state seat, said that he is leaving it to the wisdom of the party leadership to decide.
There is also speculation that PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who has previously contested in Kedah and Kelantan, would be making his debut in Penang.