Yeoh, the DAP’s assistant publicity secretary, said the move would allow the state leaders to highlight issues at the state assembly and the Dewan Rakyat if elected to both legislatures.
She said this was especially so if the chief minister or menteri besar was also an MP as there would be better coordination between the federal and state governments.
“When it comes to management of water supply or floods, there are joint lists,” she told FMT, referring to the shared powers between federal and state governments in the concurrent list of the Federal Constitution.
Her comment came in response to a call by DAP central executive committee member Ronnie Liu for top party leaders not to contest in both parliamentary and state seats.
Liu said top leaders of parties like Umno, MCA, MIC and PKR did not contest in two seats.
Among DAP leaders who have held seats in Parliament as well as state assemblies are party chairman Lim Guan Eng (Bagan and Air Puteh), secretary-general Loke Siew Fook (Seremban and Chennah), and vice chairmen Chong Chieng Jen (Stampin and Padungan); Chow Kon Yeow (Komtar and Padang Kota); and Nga Kor Ming (Teluk Intan and Aulong).
Yeoh said her party had always tried to avoid having its leaders as representatives in both legislatures.
However, there were “special” circumstances which had to be taken into account, adding that it should be “an exception and not a general rule”.
She said there was a growing number of people in Selangor, including experienced administrators at the local council or federal levels, who wanted to run for election.
However, the number of parliamentary seats available to DAP in Selangor remained the same, just four.
This was one of the considerations that the party leadership must take into account when deciding on a candidate, she added.
“I would want my secretary-general Loke Siew Fook to have a place at the state assembly and also in Parliament. He is also the Negeri Sembilan DAP chairman so that’s why special rules are made for circumstances like this where you are needed for both.”