Loke proposes Steven Sim to lead Penang DAP
Published: Sep 13, 2024 9:57 AM
With the outcome of the upcoming Penang DAP election seeming to be a foregone conclusion, the DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has proposed Human Resources Minister Steven Sim as the new state chairperson, while Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying will continue as the state secretary.
Loke reportedly revealed this “Sim-Lim formula” during an exclusive interview with the Chinese language daily Kwong Wah Yit Poh published yesterday, urging party members to support the duo as they lead Penang DAP into the next general election.
The development comes after the incumbent state chairperson and Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced his decision not to contest the upcoming Penang DAP election on Sept 22.
According to the report yesterday, Loke (above) said Sim would be suited to take over the state chairperson position, while Hui Ying a fit for her present role as the Penang DAP secretary.
“I believe this combination leading Penang will make us strong,” said Loke.
With the outcome of the upcoming Penang DAP election seeming to be a foregone conclusion, the DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has proposed Human Resources Minister Steven Sim as the new state chairperson, while Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying will continue as the state secretary.
Loke reportedly revealed this “Sim-Lim formula” during an exclusive interview with the Chinese language daily Kwong Wah Yit Poh published yesterday, urging party members to support the duo as they lead Penang DAP into the next general election.
The development comes after the incumbent state chairperson and Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced his decision not to contest the upcoming Penang DAP election on Sept 22.
According to the report yesterday, Loke (above) said Sim would be suited to take over the state chairperson position, while Hui Ying a fit for her present role as the Penang DAP secretary.
“I believe this combination leading Penang will make us strong,” said Loke.
Lim Hui Ying (left) and Steven Sim
Loke highlighted that Sim is well-known, fluent in Bahasa Malaysia, and has broad acceptance in a multicultural society.
“Besides serving as Penang chairperson under the current state administration, of course (we also) hope to maintain and defend the state government […]
“If entrusted by the voters in the future, the chairperson must be able to lead the entire state government. Thus, the person must have a global perspective, national outlook, and be equipped with wisdom and knowledge.
“The third point is renewal. The DAP in the state must become younger, with younger leaders leading it. So, I think Sim is the ideal candidate because he meets these criteria,” he said.
Loke added that the state secretary’s role is to organise the party’s structure and ensure smooth party operations, and Hui Ying, who has served as the state secretary for many years, is well-suited to continue in the role.
Hui Ying is also the younger sister of DAP national chairperson and former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng.
Penang DAP’s succession plan
Loke clarified that he had never discussed or revealed the “Sim-Lim formula” to Chow, Guan Eng, or Sim.
However, he expressed confidence that Chow would accept this leadership lineup.
Loke added that the focus - for now - should not be on selecting the next chief minister, but rather on Penang DAP’s succession plan.
He emphasised that Chow is the current chief minister and should be allowed to complete his term in office while ensuring that the next state chairperson is well-prepared.
“Even though it may not be automatic, we’ve provided the platform (for the next state chairperson) and it’s up to them to prove themselves.
“It is not a matter of course that the Penang DAP chairperson will become the state’s chief minister. It’s not automatic! Whether one could be chief minister, we’ll talk about it after the (state) election,” said Loke.
Loke highlighted that Sim is well-known, fluent in Bahasa Malaysia, and has broad acceptance in a multicultural society.
“Besides serving as Penang chairperson under the current state administration, of course (we also) hope to maintain and defend the state government […]
“If entrusted by the voters in the future, the chairperson must be able to lead the entire state government. Thus, the person must have a global perspective, national outlook, and be equipped with wisdom and knowledge.
“The third point is renewal. The DAP in the state must become younger, with younger leaders leading it. So, I think Sim is the ideal candidate because he meets these criteria,” he said.
Loke added that the state secretary’s role is to organise the party’s structure and ensure smooth party operations, and Hui Ying, who has served as the state secretary for many years, is well-suited to continue in the role.
Hui Ying is also the younger sister of DAP national chairperson and former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng.
Penang DAP’s succession plan
Loke clarified that he had never discussed or revealed the “Sim-Lim formula” to Chow, Guan Eng, or Sim.
However, he expressed confidence that Chow would accept this leadership lineup.
Loke added that the focus - for now - should not be on selecting the next chief minister, but rather on Penang DAP’s succession plan.
He emphasised that Chow is the current chief minister and should be allowed to complete his term in office while ensuring that the next state chairperson is well-prepared.
“Even though it may not be automatic, we’ve provided the platform (for the next state chairperson) and it’s up to them to prove themselves.
“It is not a matter of course that the Penang DAP chairperson will become the state’s chief minister. It’s not automatic! Whether one could be chief minister, we’ll talk about it after the (state) election,” said Loke.
Chow Kon Yeow
Loke also assured that Chow will not be a “lame duck chief minister”.
“This is the secretary-general’s assurance. This position will not be a lame duck. You can rest assured and continue your work. The most important thing is that you align with the goals of DAP’s struggles,” he said.
Sparking speculation
Chow had announced on Sept 4 that he would not contest the Penang DAP party election, which sets in motion a succession plan that allows the incoming DAP chairperson more than three years to prepare the party for the next state or general election.
Chow’s announcement also sparked much speculation.
Over the past year, DAP assemblypersons have criticised Chow’s government over issues such as the economy and water supply.
In May this year, several DAP state assemblypersons, led by national chairperson Guan Eng, criticised a water tariff hike in Penang and urged Chow to follow Perak’s example by providing a 20 sen discount on water tariffs for a year.
In August this year, Guan Eng, together with Bagan Jermal assemblyperson Jason Ong Khan Lee and Prai assemblyperson S Sundarajoo, held a press conference criticising Penang’s economic slowdown as “terrible”.
He questioned why Penang, despite being the state with the highest export rate and investment last year, had lower economic development than the national average.
Loke also assured that Chow will not be a “lame duck chief minister”.
“This is the secretary-general’s assurance. This position will not be a lame duck. You can rest assured and continue your work. The most important thing is that you align with the goals of DAP’s struggles,” he said.
Sparking speculation
Chow had announced on Sept 4 that he would not contest the Penang DAP party election, which sets in motion a succession plan that allows the incoming DAP chairperson more than three years to prepare the party for the next state or general election.
Chow’s announcement also sparked much speculation.
Over the past year, DAP assemblypersons have criticised Chow’s government over issues such as the economy and water supply.
In May this year, several DAP state assemblypersons, led by national chairperson Guan Eng, criticised a water tariff hike in Penang and urged Chow to follow Perak’s example by providing a 20 sen discount on water tariffs for a year.
In August this year, Guan Eng, together with Bagan Jermal assemblyperson Jason Ong Khan Lee and Prai assemblyperson S Sundarajoo, held a press conference criticising Penang’s economic slowdown as “terrible”.
He questioned why Penang, despite being the state with the highest export rate and investment last year, had lower economic development than the national average.
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kt comments:
Has it been an Anthony-Loke's move to prevent the ascendancy of Tokong's sister into the next CM position. This way, Loke might have salved the feelings of many factions in the Penang DAP, and thus pre-empted likely internal sabotages from occurring (wakakaka).
Steven Sim has done well in BM, but lacks grass roots support in Penang overall, largely unknown among DAP traditional supporters.
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