KLANG: This year’s race for the DAP central executive committee (CEC) positions in the party polls on Sunday (March 20) promises to be an interesting event with many prominent members joining the race.

       Previously only 20 people were voted into the CEC, but the party’s constitution had been amended to elect 30 members so as to be in line with the party’s changing demographics.

       DAP’s Sabai assemblyman Kamachee Doray Rajoo from Pahang will be trying her luck to get into the CEC as well.

       When contacted, Kamachee said she wanted to contest for the CEC position to be able to speak louder for her grassroots constituents as well as to encourage more Indian women to join the DAP.

       "I want to be the voice of the grassroots. There are so many talented women out there who can be great politicians," said the mother of two grown-up children.

       Kamachee, who was the first Indian woman to be fielded as an elected representative by DAP, first contested in Sabai in the 12th general election in 2008 but lost by a mere 145 votes.

       She said that she did not give up, and Kamachee won both the 2013 and 2018 general elections.

       Additionally, Klang MP Charles Santiago will also be contesting for a CEC position this Sunday in order to better serve his grassroots community.

       "I have always worked with grassroots communities throughout my days as an activist and now, a lawmaker.

       "I will continue community-led initiatives but I will also embrace and welcome more young people joining me," said Santiago.

       He added that he believed young minds saw things and approached issues differently and were able to inject lots of fun and creativity in advocating.

       Santiago said that given the drastic change in national politics, he saw the need for the DAP to re-invent itself to stay relevant and continue capturing people’s imagination.

       "I would like to re-think strategies and use creativity to re-position ourselves," said Santiago.

       Santiago said he would also be working towards addressing climate change issues and has planned a seminar on climate change and impact.