KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 — DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has defended the party’s chairman Lim Guan Eng after facing internal dissent over the candidate line-up for the Penang state election.

News portal Malaysiakini reported yesterday that the party’s decision to include Lim in the candidate list while dropping several other long-serving leaders has caused disquiet within DAP.

“Guan Eng was the two-term chief minister and of course, he has played an important role in winning Penang in 2008 for the DAP and led Penang for 10 years.

“A lot of changes were made during his time and I’m sure that Penang voters by and large will still appreciate his contribution to Penang,” he was quoted as saying by the news portal based on recordings of the exchange.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, DAP Youth committee member M. Kogilan expressed dismay at the list of candidates chosen by the party, pointing out that at least five long-serving assemblymen were dropped.

“I read the statement issued by DAP secretary-general Loke, stating that bringing about rejuvenation in every election including dropping some ‘old timers’ is a normal process.

“Therefore, I want to ask why the party did not drop Lim. He is also an old timer who has been contesting in elections since 1986,” he was quoted as saying.

Questioning the party’s rationale, he asked if Lim had no intention of making way for new faces.

“Or is he seen as a young person who still needs to contest in this state election,” he was quoted as saying.

According to Malaysiakini, Loke had previously defended the decision to drop five Penang exco members, stating that rejuvenation through the involvement of new faces was essential to keep the party relevant.

“Some of the long-serving figures include P Ramasamy, who has been the deputy chief minister II for three terms, and Chong Eng who has been an exco member for two terms and previously served multiple terms as an MP,” Loke was quoted as saying.

It was reported that the internal strife has led to notable resignations from the party. DAP’s David Marshel stepped down and vowed to contest the election as an independent candidate, aiming to prevent Lim from becoming chief minister again. The Bagan Dalam incumbent Satees Muniandy, who was dropped from the DAP lineup, also announced similar plans to defend his seat as an independent candidate.