Karpal: One seat for one candidate
By Opalyn Mok (The Sun npps)
GEORGE TOWN (Dec 12, 2010): The DAP will field one candidate for one seat -- either state or parliamentary -- in the next general election which it thinks will take place early next year.The exception is the chief minister, who needs also to be an MP, DAP chairman Karpal Singh said today.At a press conference after the opening of the DAP state convention at Komtar here, Karpal said this is possible because of the increase in the party membership.He said one person could not hold too many posts "so, as a matter of principle, each candidate will only be fielded for one seat unlike previously, when some candidates were fielded for both state and parliamentary seats.
"With the exception of the chief minister, who needs to also be an MP, we do not want one individual to hold a parliament and state seat at the same time," he said.
Karpal said it was not right for one person to be holding too many posts and taking on too much responsibility.
"Previously, we did not have enough suitable members to field as candidates. That was why some were given two seats but now that we have an increase in membership, we will be able to field one person for one seat," he said.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who is also the Penang chief minister, said party members must be prepared for snap elections.
"The fact that the government did not call for the Sarawak elections this month is a sure sign that there will be snap elections, possibly in March, after Chinese New Year," he said.
