KUALA LUMPUR – DAP’s Bagan Dalam incumbent M. Satees has lashed out after being dropped from the candidate line-up, warning that the state is in danger of being controlled by an “emperor”.
Satees, who was dropped by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) component party as a candidate in the state election, implied that the axing of a number representatives revealed an autocratic force in the party seeking to eliminate those who do not bow down to certain orders.
“I believe that Penang is now in a dangerous position where one figure is making all the decisions. Penang has achieved commendable progress, but that should not be an excuse to allow any dictators to run rampant here.
“We have a democratic system here, we don’t need any emperors. To the emperor, I’m telling you that you will not be the emperor forever. Penangites are not stupid,” he said during a press conference in Penang today.
While Satees did not name the individual he described as an emperor, he claimed that the person had full control over Penang DAP’s candidate list and dropped those said to be aligned with caretaker chief minister Chow Kon Yeow.
“Even if they (DAP leaders) say that decisions (on the candidate list) were made by the party’s central executive committee, I think that it was a decision by a single man (to fulfil) his needs.
“They can say that (chosen candidates) are to bring in young blood or a renewal, but is it a coincidence that out of the seven incumbent state assemblymen who expressed their support for (Chow), six of them have been dropped (as candidates)?”
Satees added that the true threat to Penang is not Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) “green wave”, but the “emperor” who utilises the concept as a scare tactic to rouse support for his rule.
“The green wave has been used to control the people and make the emperor more powerful. You (voters) won’t get the green wave, you’ll get (Chinese President) Xi Jinping,” he said, referring to the renowned leader of the Chinese Communist Party.
Satees also said when he spoke with a party leader after his axing as a candidate, the leader had told him to “not worry” as the party will “do something” after emerging favourably from this “test on (his) commitment to the party”.
“My commitment is not to the party, but to the people of Penang. Yes, if I wanted to, I can accept any position that they offer me and keep quiet, but I am not a beggar.
“I have my principles and will not sell out for anything. If you think you can buy me over with offers, it will not work. I will not be threatened.”
When questioned by reporters on the potential of him facing disciplinary action from DAP because of his comments today, Satees said: “If you are afraid of free speech, then what is the point of talking about democracy?”
“When it comes to you, you can speak about whatever you want, but when it comes to others, we cannot speak. What kind of rule is that?”
Yesterday, Penang DAP announced 19 candidates for the state polls on August 12. Seven former assemblymen were dropped, including five executive councillors under the caretaker state government. – July 26, 2023