Community leaders expressed their faith in the DAP man and stated their desire for him to continue serving as their MP, describing him as a leader who was fair, approachable and hardworking.

Klang Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry deputy president Ter Leong Leng praised Santiago for supporting the local community during the floods last year.

“He was everywhere and did as much as he could in the flood,” Ter told reporters at a luncheon organised by the former Klang MP’s office here.

Klang Hokkien Association president Goh Ah Lek said he wanted to leave politics to the political parties but hoped Santiago would be able to defend and retain his seat.

“A new MP has to start from scratch, but I will leave the decision to the party,” he said, adding that he saw Santiago as a good leader and person.

Siow Ho Phiew, who heads Wang Seng Hang Dragon and Lion Arts, hailed Santiago for being an MP who would go to the ground and support local community events.

He said Santiago had even helped organise a lion dance competition in Klang over the past two years.

“I was shocked when he first approached me to organise a lion dance competition. I thought to myself: who is this Indian leader who wants to organise Chinese lion dances?”

At the luncheon attended by representatives from seven chambers of commerce in Klang, Santiago thanked the business community for being extremely helpful during the pandemic and floods.

“They voluntarily provided food and funds and helped many families in Klang,” he said.

Last month, it was reported that DAP would be replacing Santiago with Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah as a candidate for the Klang seat in GE15.

Santiago, who was the three-term MP for Klang, denied this report, saying he had no plans to make way for Ean Yong.

DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook had also dismissed the report, stating that the party had yet to finalise its list of candidates for nationwide polls.