Ramasamy dismisses report of being dropped from candidate line-up for Penang polls

KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 — Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy has dismissed a news report claiming he will be dropped as a candidate in the upcoming Penang state polls, according to Malaysiakini.

The Perai assemblyman said he has stated his intention of serving one more term and that there has yet to be a list of potential candidates submitted to the central leadership.

“I want to serve my party for one more term. I have stated this publicly,” he is quoted as saying by the portal.

“I leave it to the party to make the decision. I believe the chief minister (Chow Kon Yeow) has yet to make any decision,” he added.

Ramasamy, 74, said he was surprised when The Star reported he was to be dropped to make way for younger candidates.

The three-term assemblyman said that he believes he has a good relationship with the federal government and that being vocal does not mean he is against his party’s leadership.

“I don’t understand how and where The Star sourced the information about my impending ‘drop’ from the list of candidates.

“I suppose the MCA-financed publication has nothing better to do other than be a ‘dog in the manger’. In other words, if MCA is not in the government, then others have no place,” he was quoted as saying again.

Ramasamy is currently in the Netherlands, where he is leading a state delegation.