DAP: No need for debate over Jelapang

Perak DAP chief says DAP will shortlist the candidates for Jelapng and Pakatan Rakyat will have the final say.

Perak DAP chief Ngeh Koo Ham said there is no need for a debate to decide who is the best candidate to contest the Jelapang state seat.

Ngeh said the candidate for Jelapang would be shortlisted by the DAP and finalised by Pakatan Rakyat.

Ngeh. who is also the Beruas MP and Sitiwan state assemblyman, said this in response to Anything But Umno activist, Haris Ibrahim’s suggestion that both DAP and PSM candidates have a friendly debate over issues affecting Jelapang.

Haris offered to organise the debate and was supportive of PSM deputy chairman M Sarasvathy to be fielded in Jelapang during a gathering in Ipoh last night.

Sarasvathy had contested against DAP’s Hee Yit Foong and MCA in 2008.

Hee won but subsequently declared herself as Barisan Nasional-friendly independent and that led to the fall of Pakatan state government in 2009.

On the possible candidate, Ngeh confirmed that Teh Hock Ke, a water engineer-turned-insurance manager, is among those considered favourites to contest in Jelapang.

“He is among the 20-member team who is servicing Jelapang DAP service centre,” said Ngeh.

In contrast, Sarasvathy said that PSM is running three service centres in Jelapang, Pusing and in Taman Rishah.