Questions about DAP’s future swirl ahead of congress
Loke Siew Fook is expected to succeed Lim Guan Eng, but Liew Chin Tong could also be in the running.
PETALING JAYA: Questions about Lim Guan Eng’s successor as party secretary-general, the party’s stand on communal issues and multiracialism, and its performance in federal politics are expected to feature at its annual congress to be held today.
Lim, who turned 62 in December, has held the secretary-general’s post since 2004. He has reached the three-term limit and might take on a chairmanship role, according to a party insider.
National organising secretary Loke Siew Fook is widely expected to take over, but there have been whispers that Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong and Perak DAP chief Nga Kor Ming might be in the running.
“It is hard to say if Lim’s influence will be strong on these candidates. There could be independent-minded folk among these candidates, which the old leadership might not like. The grassroots are betting on Loke and Liew while Nga is a wildcard,” an insider said.
“But the new sec-gen will steer the party’s next course as the general elections loom and the rocket’s image has sunk to new lows after a string of defeats in three state elections.”
The insider said that Lim is likely to trumpet past achievements and try to convince the delegates to get over stinging losses at the recent polls in Melaka, Sarawak and Johor.
The insider expects Lim to highlight the fact that despite a short stint in Putrajaya and a host of other problems, the party’s 42 MPs have not strayed, and there is little infighting compared to other Pakatan Harapan parties.
However, the insider was not sure if “the band-aid will help” disillusioned members who previously had no problems getting “fired up for the party”.
A branch chief in Penang, said the party should shed “all the old coconuts” and replace them with new faces to better prepare for the next polls given the larger youth electorate.
“These leaders should not overstay their welcome. Old people must go, people are fed up with the leadership being kept within father, son and sister,” he said.
A senior DAP leader who did not want to be named said Chinese delegates are expected to channel their concerns about DAP’s ties with Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his allies, the memorandum of understanding PH signed with Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s government, and a host of other communal issues.
“There is dissatisfaction with the Lim family for not standing up to Dr Mahathir and not implementing the MoU’s provisions well,” said the leader.
PETALING JAYA: Questions about Lim Guan Eng’s successor as party secretary-general, the party’s stand on communal issues and multiracialism, and its performance in federal politics are expected to feature at its annual congress to be held today.
Lim, who turned 62 in December, has held the secretary-general’s post since 2004. He has reached the three-term limit and might take on a chairmanship role, according to a party insider.
National organising secretary Loke Siew Fook is widely expected to take over, but there have been whispers that Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong and Perak DAP chief Nga Kor Ming might be in the running.
“It is hard to say if Lim’s influence will be strong on these candidates. There could be independent-minded folk among these candidates, which the old leadership might not like. The grassroots are betting on Loke and Liew while Nga is a wildcard,” an insider said.
“But the new sec-gen will steer the party’s next course as the general elections loom and the rocket’s image has sunk to new lows after a string of defeats in three state elections.”
The insider said that Lim is likely to trumpet past achievements and try to convince the delegates to get over stinging losses at the recent polls in Melaka, Sarawak and Johor.
The insider expects Lim to highlight the fact that despite a short stint in Putrajaya and a host of other problems, the party’s 42 MPs have not strayed, and there is little infighting compared to other Pakatan Harapan parties.
However, the insider was not sure if “the band-aid will help” disillusioned members who previously had no problems getting “fired up for the party”.
A branch chief in Penang, said the party should shed “all the old coconuts” and replace them with new faces to better prepare for the next polls given the larger youth electorate.
“These leaders should not overstay their welcome. Old people must go, people are fed up with the leadership being kept within father, son and sister,” he said.
A senior DAP leader who did not want to be named said Chinese delegates are expected to channel their concerns about DAP’s ties with Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his allies, the memorandum of understanding PH signed with Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s government, and a host of other communal issues.
“There is dissatisfaction with the Lim family for not standing up to Dr Mahathir and not implementing the MoU’s provisions well,” said the leader.
Apart from stating that some delegates are concerned that the party seemingly no longer represents Chinese interests, the leader said that there are also worries among some senior members about what trajectory a more multiracial DAP would take.
In Kedah, a DAP leader said there was an urgent need for the party to shore up Malay, Indian and Borneo members to diversify its leadership and prove that it is serious about minority voices.
In Kota Kinabalu, one party member expressed concern that some delegates would not be able to afford to fly to Kuala Lumpur to vote in person, adding that voting centres should have been set up in Sabah and Sarawak to collect votes from East Malaysian delegates.
However, Loke told FMT there would be delegates from Borneo flying in to vote but he did not elaborate further.
The 4,150 delegates are expected to vote for 93 candidates. The congress was supposed to be held last June but was postponed due to rising Covid-19 cases.
DAP does not directly elect its leaders at the top. Instead, delegates from branches throughout the country will vote for 30 members at the central executive committee (CEC), the party’s highest body.
The 30 elected CEC members will then decide who takes up the different party positions, and will co-opt 10 more members into the CEC.
Senior party leader Chong Eng is looking forward to having at least nine women holding elected positions in the CEC, which currently has only six.
Loke has said this was in line with the country’s aspiration to have at least 30% of women in leadership roles, adding that the party amended its constitution during the last party congress specifically for this.
Chong said: “Soon, we will not need a separate women’s wing, but merely a bureau on women’s affairs, since DAP’s core will have at least 30% women representation. This will be the biggest moment in DAP’s 56-year history.”
In Kedah, a DAP leader said there was an urgent need for the party to shore up Malay, Indian and Borneo members to diversify its leadership and prove that it is serious about minority voices.
In Kota Kinabalu, one party member expressed concern that some delegates would not be able to afford to fly to Kuala Lumpur to vote in person, adding that voting centres should have been set up in Sabah and Sarawak to collect votes from East Malaysian delegates.
However, Loke told FMT there would be delegates from Borneo flying in to vote but he did not elaborate further.
The 4,150 delegates are expected to vote for 93 candidates. The congress was supposed to be held last June but was postponed due to rising Covid-19 cases.
DAP does not directly elect its leaders at the top. Instead, delegates from branches throughout the country will vote for 30 members at the central executive committee (CEC), the party’s highest body.
The 30 elected CEC members will then decide who takes up the different party positions, and will co-opt 10 more members into the CEC.
Senior party leader Chong Eng is looking forward to having at least nine women holding elected positions in the CEC, which currently has only six.
Loke has said this was in line with the country’s aspiration to have at least 30% of women in leadership roles, adding that the party amended its constitution during the last party congress specifically for this.
Chong said: “Soon, we will not need a separate women’s wing, but merely a bureau on women’s affairs, since DAP’s core will have at least 30% women representation. This will be the biggest moment in DAP’s 56-year history.”
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