HAVING one representative for both state assembly and parliamentary seat will not benefit the constituents, a local politician says.
The move is also not politically healthy, especially if distance of both seats is factored into consideration, said MCA spokesperson Saw Yee Fung in Penang.
Citing examples, she said PKR’s Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution is also the incumbent Kulim Bandar Baharu MP in Kedah.
“Aulong assemblyman Nga Kor Ming is also the incumbent MP of Teluk Intan. Both the state and parliamentary seats are located far apart.
“Moreover, top party leaders are always busy with party matters. How could they be able to really serve the people who voted them in both seats?” she said.
The MCA candidate for Bayan Baru parliamentary seat, however, clarified that there was no legislation for political parties to follow the “one seat, one person” rule.
Recently, a Johor DAP committee member slammed his own party, accusing them of allowing state chief Liew Chin Tong to contest a parliamentary seat despite the latter holding the Perling state seat.
Dr Boo Cheng Hau, the former Johor DAP chief, said the party should stick to its “one person, one seat” convention.
“Some in the party are trying to make exceptions for state chairmen to enjoy the privilege of holding both state and parliamentary seats.
“The late Karpal Singh insisted on the ‘one man, one seat’ rule, which I personally cherished as the former state chief,” he said in a Facebook post on Oct 30.
Seri Delima assemblyman Syerleena Abdul Rashid has also been named DAP candidate for the Bukit Bendera parliamentary seat.
She, however, said she would vacate the seat when the state assembly is dissolved.
“Yes I will be wearing two hats for now and I am glad to serve both Seri Delima and Bukit Bendera if given a chance.
“When the state legislative assembly is dissolved, I will vacate the Seri Delima seat.
“I have faith in our team of volunteers, local councillors and the village community management council members in Seri Delima who will serve the needs of the people when I am in Parliament.
“It may seem to be complicated but I can assure you we can do it,” she said.
Syerleena, 42, will replace incumbent Wong Hon Wai, 49, in Bukit Bendera.
DAP will contest seven of the 13 parliamentary seats in Penang.
During the 14th General Election in Penang, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow stood and won in both the Tanjong parliamentary seat and the Padang Kota state seat.
Former chief minister Lim Guan Eng also won the Bagan parliamentary seat and the Air Putih state seat.
The party has an unwritten rule that except for state party chairmen and secretary-general, all other members will only contest in either a state or parliamentary seat. However, there are exceptions.