Penang DAP election results reflect members’ rejection of ‘Lim faction’: Analysts

Observers note that Penang DAP appears divided between factions loyal to party chairman Lim Guan Eng (in picture) and those backing Chow Kon Yeow, the current Chief Minister. – Riduan Rizal Ahmad/Scoop file pic, September 24, 2024


Penang DAP election results reflect members’ rejection of ‘Lim faction’: Analysts


Despite speculation on her candidacy, DAP chairman's sister Lim Hui Ying only placed 12th in the top 15, with Steven Sim ultimately taking the role


R. Dineskumar

24 September, 2024
11:55 AM MYT

GEORGE TOWN – The results of the Penang DAP elections last Sunday suggest a pushback from party members against a faction reportedly led by party chairman Lim Guan Eng, according to political analysts.

Lim Hui Ying, the chairman’s sister, secured the 12th position in the top 15 winners. This was a significant drop from her fourth-place finish in the 2021 state elections, a performance widely seen as underwhelming given her earlier standing.

While Lim retained her position as the chapter’s secretary, several state assemblymen closely associated with her brother failed to make the top 15 list, further indicating dissatisfaction within the party.

Observers note that Penang DAP appears divided between factions loyal to Guan Eng and those backing Chow Kon Yeow, the current Chief Minister. These divisions surfaced during last year’s state elections, with allegations that Chow’s preferred candidates were sidelined in favour of those aligned with Lim.

Associate Professor Azmil Tayeb from Universiti Sains Malaysia linked the election results to this internal schism, telling Scoop that the outcome reflects dissatisfaction with “how Guan Eng has been treating Chow”, describing the result as a clear rebuke of Lim’s faction.

Azmil suggested that Hui Ying’s retention as the state secretary, despite her lower placement, was a face-saving measure designed to “appease Guan Eng”.

Azmi Hassan from Nusantara Strategic Research Academy expressed surprise at Hui Ying’s poor performance, especially given the endorsement she received from DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke, who had advocated for a “Steven Sim–Hui Ying” leadership duo.

However, Azmi believes the decision was more strategic, with newly-elected state chairman Steven Sim aiming to unite the party and avoid further divisions between the state and national leadership.

“So this must be a signal (by the members) to Guan Eng that his control (or) I would say his influence in the Penang DAP is not that strong compared to his influence at the national level,” he said.

Sim, who also serves as Human Resources Minister and Bukit Mertajam MP, was appointed Penang DAP chairman by the newly elected 15-member state committee. He secured 1,237 votes, placing him second on the list of top 15 winners.

Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh took the number one spot with 1,247 votes, just 10 more than Sim. His elevation was unexpected, given the widespread assumption that either Lim or Sim would clinch the top spot.

Ramkarpal’s result marked a significant improvement from the 2021 elections, where he garnered only 439 votes. This time around, 1,452 delegates participated in the election, compared to just 798 in 2021.

Ramkarpal’s family legacy, personal achievements

Azmil attributed Ramkarpal’s success to his longstanding reputation and family heritage, which made him a neutral choice for delegates seeking to avoid the factional divide between Lim and Chow. As the son of the late Karpal Singh, a revered former party chairman, Ramkarpal’s family name likely played a role in his electoral success.

Azmi, however, pointed to Ramkarpal’s accomplishments as an MP and former Deputy Minister of Law and Institutional Reform in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration as key factors.

“When the delegates gave a boost of confidence to Ramkarpal, it was not that they wanted him to be the party chairman.

“(It is) just that he has done a good job as the former deputy minister under (Minister of Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. I think he is very popular in Penang (as well). No doubt about that.”

kt remarks: We also need to remember that Ramkarpal and his sister Sangeet were the ONLY two DAP members who warned their party of collaborating with Mahathir during the 2018 DAP's-infatuation-with-Tun days.

Read again Malaysiakini 09 Jan 2018 

Sangeet, you have my absolute respect
Fa Abdul
Published: Jan 9, 2018 3:27 PM
Updated: Jan 10, 2018 11:41 AM


COMMENT | Two days ago, Sangeet Kaur Deo, daughter of the late DAP chairperson Karpal Singh, gave her personal opinion on Dr Mahathir Mohamad being named the prime ministerial candidate for Pakatan Harapan.

In a Facebook post, Sangeet questioned the leaders of DAP who had always been vocal against abuses of power, but remained silent following Mahathir’s recent apologies without any calls to hold him accountable for wrongdoings during his tenure as prime minister.



Honestly, I take my hat off to Sangeet for having the balls to speak out, although she herself is with DAP.

This is not the first time Sangeet has been vocal about the matter. In December 2016, speaking at the DAP national conference, she had already raised her concerns about DAP’s alliance with Bersatu.

“I strongly urge the leaders of DAP to be very mindful when we choose our allies. Yes, there are no permanent friends, there are no permanent enemies, but there must be permanent principles. And when we choose our allies, we must be sure that their principles are genuinely in line with ours,” she said.

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Sim’s call for unity Penang DAP

Upon announcing the new state committee, Sim described it as a “unity team” and called on party members to put aside differences and strengthen Penang DAP for the benefit of both the party and the people. He pledged to continue the legacy of the party’s previous leadership and affirmed the committee’s commitment to supporting both the state government led by Chow and the federal government.

Azmil said that Sim’s emphasis on unity reflected an awareness of the factional fractures within the Penang DAP.

“These divisions are tarnishing the party’s public image, and it’s crucial for them to resolve internal conflicts ahead of the 16th state and general elections,” he said.

Azmi concurred, suggesting that Sim’s “unity team” branding aimed to bridge the gap between Penang DAP and the party’s central leadership, exacerbated by the election results.

He also speculated that internal discord within Penang DAP contributed to Pakatan Harapan’s loss in the Sungai Bakap by-election, where low voter turnout among the party’s grassroots likely played a role. – September 24, 2024