Liew expected to step down as Johor DAP chief
Cha Zhi Ting & Lee Way Loon
Published: Sep 27, 2024 2:01 PM
With the Johor DAP party election looming, the incumbent state chief, Liew Chin Tong, is said to be relinquishing his post.
Malaysiakini learned that Liew (above) expressed his intention to pass the baton during the last Johor DAP state committee meeting.
However, it is unclear whether Liew still intends to contest for a post at the state committee.
Under DAP’s two-tier election system, party delegates would first elect 15 state committee members. The 15 new committee members then elect the office bearers among themselves, including the state chairperson.
Typically, DAP central leaders also hold key positions in their respective state committees. For example, secretary-general Anthony Loke and parliamentary leader Nga Kor Ming are the chairpersons of Negeri Sembilan and Perak, respectively.
However, some national-level leaders do not contest in state committee elections.
DAP national chairperson Lim Guan Eng
For instance, national chairperson Lim Guan Eng did not participate in the recent Penang state committee election.
Evasive answers
When asked to confirm whether he plans to remain as state chairperson, Liew refused to comment and told Malaysiakini, “We'll talk after the (Mahkota) by-election.”
Malaysiakini also contacted several other Johor DAP state committee members, but they declined to confirm whether Liew had expressed his intention to step down and suggested Malaysiakini ask Liew directly.
According to Johor DAP political education director Alan Tee, Liew mentioned during the meeting that it was his last time chairing a meeting as the state committee chairperson for the current term in office.
“He said this would be his last time (chairing the meeting) as state chairperson for this term, because (the committee) would be dissolved next month. So, he won’t be chairing the meeting as (this term’s) state chairperson anymore. That is my understanding,” he said.
If Liew steps down, his most likely successor would be his deputy, Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching.
For instance, national chairperson Lim Guan Eng did not participate in the recent Penang state committee election.
Evasive answers
When asked to confirm whether he plans to remain as state chairperson, Liew refused to comment and told Malaysiakini, “We'll talk after the (Mahkota) by-election.”
Malaysiakini also contacted several other Johor DAP state committee members, but they declined to confirm whether Liew had expressed his intention to step down and suggested Malaysiakini ask Liew directly.
According to Johor DAP political education director Alan Tee, Liew mentioned during the meeting that it was his last time chairing a meeting as the state committee chairperson for the current term in office.
“He said this would be his last time (chairing the meeting) as state chairperson for this term, because (the committee) would be dissolved next month. So, he won’t be chairing the meeting as (this term’s) state chairperson anymore. That is my understanding,” he said.
If Liew steps down, his most likely successor would be his deputy, Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching.
Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching
Teo is also the DAP’s national publicity secretary, chairperson of the party’s national women’s wing, and deputy communications minister.
When asked by Malaysiakini via text message whether she would be willing to succeed Liew if he stepped down, Teo responded, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
Rival lying in wait?
It is widely believed that Bakri MP Tan Hong Pin and his supporters will once again attempt to challenge Liew’s camp. However, Tan’s camp faces significant challenges.
Tan’s camp nearly unseated Liew in the 2018 Johor DAP election, but in the 2021 polls, they faced a severe setback.
Tan, along with allies such as Ee Chin Li and Cheo Yee How, were eliminated in the first round of voting and did not make it into the state committee.
During the Johor state election in the following year, DAP faced a major feud over candidate changes.
It ultimately settled on a compromise that retained Ee, Ng Yak Howe, and Yeo Tung Siong, while Tan was slated to contest a parliamentary seat. Cheo was dropped.
Malaysiakini has attempted to contact Tan to confirm whether he will participate in the party election that is to be held in nine days but was unable to reach him.
Yeo confirmed to Malaysiakini that he had accepted the nomination and would contest for a state committee position.
Teo is also the DAP’s national publicity secretary, chairperson of the party’s national women’s wing, and deputy communications minister.
When asked by Malaysiakini via text message whether she would be willing to succeed Liew if he stepped down, Teo responded, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
Rival lying in wait?
It is widely believed that Bakri MP Tan Hong Pin and his supporters will once again attempt to challenge Liew’s camp. However, Tan’s camp faces significant challenges.
Tan’s camp nearly unseated Liew in the 2018 Johor DAP election, but in the 2021 polls, they faced a severe setback.
Tan, along with allies such as Ee Chin Li and Cheo Yee How, were eliminated in the first round of voting and did not make it into the state committee.
During the Johor state election in the following year, DAP faced a major feud over candidate changes.
It ultimately settled on a compromise that retained Ee, Ng Yak Howe, and Yeo Tung Siong, while Tan was slated to contest a parliamentary seat. Cheo was dropped.
Malaysiakini has attempted to contact Tan to confirm whether he will participate in the party election that is to be held in nine days but was unable to reach him.
Yeo confirmed to Malaysiakini that he had accepted the nomination and would contest for a state committee position.
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