pywong
18th September 2010, 05:14 PM
Karpal: DAP candidates should not contest both state and parliamentary seats
By Yoges Palaniappan
September 18, 2010
GEORGE TOWN, Sept 18 — DAP national chairman Karpal Singh said today the time had come for the party to stop the practice where the same candidates contest both state and parliamentary seats.
He said although it has been the practice, it should not be applied in the next general election.
“In the past, we had very few candidates. I myself held both state and parliamentary seats for three terms, however, we now have many candidates of calibre,” he told a press conference here.
Karpal said the party would “seriously consider” avoiding such “double seat” contests in the next general election which he predicted will be held after Chinese New Year next year.
The Bukit Gelugor MP however noted that there should be exceptions. For example, he said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng must also be a member of Parliament in the interest of the state.
Asked if other Pakatan Rakyat component parties would take the DAP’s lead, he said: “I think all should [adopt the suggestion] but we cannot speak for them, but we will encourage them to do so.”
“Those who are holding two seats must gracefully follow what we are suggesting here,” he added.
Karpal also wanted the government to amend the Election Offences Act 1984 to make it compulsory for every citizen to vote in elections.
“In Australia and Singapore, it is compulsory to vote and those who fail to do are penalised,” he said, adding that he plans to raise the issue at the next Parliament sitting.
He supported Penang Gerakan Youth chief Oh Teong Keong’s suggestion that the voting age be reduced from 21 years to 18, saying that the change must be in line with the Age of Majority Act 1971.
“The Age of Majority Act 1971 recognises 18 to be the age of majority. I don’t see why it should be 21 [to be eligible to vote],” he said. TheMalaysiaInsider.... (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/karpal-dap-candidates-should-not-contest-both-state-and-parliamentary-seats/)
By Yoges Palaniappan
September 18, 2010
GEORGE TOWN, Sept 18 — DAP national chairman Karpal Singh said today the time had come for the party to stop the practice where the same candidates contest both state and parliamentary seats.
He said although it has been the practice, it should not be applied in the next general election.
“In the past, we had very few candidates. I myself held both state and parliamentary seats for three terms, however, we now have many candidates of calibre,” he told a press conference here.
Karpal said the party would “seriously consider” avoiding such “double seat” contests in the next general election which he predicted will be held after Chinese New Year next year.
The Bukit Gelugor MP however noted that there should be exceptions. For example, he said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng must also be a member of Parliament in the interest of the state.
Asked if other Pakatan Rakyat component parties would take the DAP’s lead, he said: “I think all should [adopt the suggestion] but we cannot speak for them, but we will encourage them to do so.”
“Those who are holding two seats must gracefully follow what we are suggesting here,” he added.
Karpal also wanted the government to amend the Election Offences Act 1984 to make it compulsory for every citizen to vote in elections.
“In Australia and Singapore, it is compulsory to vote and those who fail to do are penalised,” he said, adding that he plans to raise the issue at the next Parliament sitting.
He supported Penang Gerakan Youth chief Oh Teong Keong’s suggestion that the voting age be reduced from 21 years to 18, saying that the change must be in line with the Age of Majority Act 1971.
“The Age of Majority Act 1971 recognises 18 to be the age of majority. I don’t see why it should be 21 [to be eligible to vote],” he said. TheMalaysiaInsider.... (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/karpal-dap-candidates-should-not-contest-both-state-and-parliamentary-seats/)