Kuala Lumpur – Penang’s Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P.Ramasamy has been appointed as a member of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of DAP. It is believed that the DAP leadership had a change of mind in response to widespread disappointment expressed by the Indian community through Tamil media and social media groups.
Ramasamy failed to get elected as one of CEC members at the DAP’s re-convened elections held on 12th of November 2017. According to reports, out of the total 1,356 eligible voters turned up for voting Ramasamy managed to poll only 359 votes. However, he claimed he managed to get full support from the Indian delegates to the DAP convention.
While it surprised many that despite his role in the party as Deputy Secretary-Secretary General and Deputy Chief Minister II he was unable to get elected as one of the 20 CEC members, what was even more shocking was that he was not even appointed as one of the 10 CEC members by the DAP leadership.
This created some ripples in the Indian community and there were media reports that DAP leadership did not favour Ramasamy and that he would be replaced as Deputy Chief Minister II after GE 14. Some political observers also questioned the importance of Deputy Chief Minister’s post for an Indian when that person is not even appointed as a member of the CEC by the party.
It is believed with such widespread disappointment expressed by the Tamil media and Indian social media groups DAP’s leadership changed its mind and Ramasamy has been appointed as one of the 10 CEC members.
After the DAP elections, 10 members were appointed as CEC members and there was no place for Ramasamy on that list. However, DAP sources said Selangor Speaker Hannah Yeoh declined her appointment as a member of CEC and now Ramasamy has been appointed in her place.
Despite Ramasamy’s re-entry into DAP’s CEC, speculations are rife that he would be replaced as Deputy Chief Minister II after GE-14 and that he is being considered to contest one of the Parliamentary seats allocated to DAP, possibly Cameron Highlands.
