Six-way fight expected for Bukit Gelugor seat

(The Star) – As many as six candidates are expected to vie for the Bukit Gelugor parliamentary seat in the upcoming by-election.

DAP will announce its candidate today for the by-election triggered by the death of former party chairman Karpal Singh in a car accident on April 17.

Karpal’s third son Ramkarpal Singh Deo, 38, is likely to be chosen to carry on his father’s legacy.

Nomination is set for Monday while polling is on May 25.

“Be patient. I am not saying that the party will not contest,” she said at a press conference here.

It is learnt that the state MCA committee will meet at 3pm today to discuss the by-­election.

Parti Cinta Malaysia vice-president Datuk Huan Cheng Guan said he would contest and raise five issues daily involving hudud and local matters.

“I know that I will not win. I hope to secure at least 12% of the total votes so that I won’t lose my deposit,” he said.

The others contesting are Mohamed Nabi Bux Mohd Nabi Abd Sathar, 63, a retiree and PAS member from Gombak, Selangor, whose wish is to create awareness of PAS’ hudud law in Penang.

“I hope the party will allow me to contest under its ticket. If not, I will stand as an independent.”

Also joining the fray is homestay operator Mohd Yacoob Mohd Noor, 25, popularly known as Yacoob Bebas (independent), who polled only 141 votes for the Sungai Pinang state seat in the last general election.

The newly formed Penang Front Party is also set to contest.

Meanwhile, sources said some DAP leaders were not in favour of Ramkarpal’s candidacy.

A party leader said Ramkarpal only joined the party recently.

“The selection of Ramkarpal would open the party to attacks on issues of promoting nepotism, cronyism and dynastic politics.

“We have many leaders who have sacrificed so much for the party,” he said.

He claimed that party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng wanted malleable new blood.

“Guan Eng also prefers Ramkarpal as he does not want to antagonise Karpal’s ­supporters.”