KLANG: There is a high chance that Selangor DAP chairman Gobind Singh Deo will be vying for a seat in the Selangor state assembly in order for him to be made a state executive councillor, say party sources.
Gobind, who is currently the Damansara MP, will be a key figure for Selangor DAP following the retirement of the party’s Selangor veteran and strongman, Datuk Teng Chang Khim, who had served for six terms in the state.
Observers say whoever is selected to replace Teng must be someone who is qualified and senior enough to helm the top-tier exco position in what is a high-profile state.
Teng, who is the incumbent Bandar Baru Klang assemblyman, is the executive councillor in charge of investment, industry, trade and small-medium industries under Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari’s leadership.
Teng has been credited with playing a pivotal role in getting investments into the state, with even Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah praising him.
Sultan Sharafuddin had told The Star in an interview in 2021 that Teng, who is a lawyer by profession, is good at his job as an executive councillor.
The Ruler had also hoped that the state government would give Teng a position in a government-linked company after he quit politics.
Sources say the person being brought into the state executive council level must be someone who is smart, articulate, sharp and able to command a presence, and in this regard, Gobind appears to fit the bill perfectly.
Sources added that Gobind will most likely contest in Bukit Gasing.
If this is true, it would mean incumbent Rajiv Rishyakaran will have be moved elsewhere if the party wants to retain him in the state line-up.
According to a party insider, Rajiv’s seat is being given to Gobind because Bukit Gasing is regarded as DAP’s “Indian quota seat”.
Rajiv still has hope as he can still be sent to Kota Kemuning, which is also regarded as another Indian quota seat.
Meanwhile, another party insider said Banting incumbent Lau Weng San may contest in Bandar Baru Klang.
“Ean Yong Hian Wah (incumbent Seri Kembangan assemblyman) is supposed to go to Banting and newbie Wayne Ong will contest in Seri Kembangan,” said the source.
However, according to the source, it is still unclear who will be getting Sungai Pelek as there are about seven local candidates who qualify.
