Rejig expected as DAP announces GE14 candidates

GEORGE TOWN: It is likely the end of the road for three state DAP veterans and two leaders who rose to prominence during the 2008 "political tsunami", as well as some elected representatives who had performed below expectations.
In an hour's time, the Penang DAP will unveil the full list of its 19 state and seven parliament candidates for the 14th general election at the Evergreen Laurel Hotel along the Gurney Drive promenade.
Veterans Lim Hock Seng and Danny Law Heng Kiang, a five – term assemblyman as well as the soft spoken lawyer A. Tanasekharan are likely to be dropped to make way for an injection of fresh and ready cadre of leaders.
They joined a surprise list which includes nation's pioneer micro-blogger Jeff Ooi (Jelutong), former journalist Ng Wei Aik (Tanjong) and two-term, assemblyperson Lau Keng Ee (Pengkalan Kota), who have been left out in the cold.
Except for Ng and Lau, the rest of those left out are in their 60s.
DAP has followed through the party hierarchy with municipal councillors replacing them, leading with the affable Ong Ah Teong, who replaces Law, and Daniel Gooi, a personal aide of state DAP deputy chairperson Jagdeep Singh Deo, replacing Lau in Pengkalan Kota.
Outspoken Satess Muniandy, who was formerly a Seberang Prai Municipal Councillor (MPSP) is likely to replace the quiet and unassuming Tanasekharan.
Another councilor Joseph Ng replaces Wong Hon Wai in the Air Itam state seat.
Hon Wai has been bumped up to contest the Bukit Bendera parliamentary seat.
Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr. P. Ramasamy will defend his Prai seat while, the late DAP stalwart P. Patto's daughter Kasthuriraani retains her seat in the Batu Kawan parliamentary constituency despite objections from certain quarters.
Another MPSP councilor Jason N'ng replaces Soon Lip Chee, who has been moved to Bagan Jermal to fill the vacancy left behind by Hock Seng.
Lawyer R.S.N. Rayer replaces Ooi in Jelutong, while Syerleena Abdul Rashid replaces him in the Seri Delima state seat while Ramkarpal Singh Deo will continue his late father Karpal's legacy by defending the Bukit Gelugor parliamentary seat.
State DAP chairperson Chow Kon Yeow may be asked to replace Ng in the Tanjong parliament seat.
Ooi when contacted, was gracious in accepting the decision, saying he will lend the necessary support and machinery to Rayer.
He leaves leaving four important projects unfulfilled.