DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke is navigating party dynamics as he leads a generational transition following the party's recent election, writes Ding Lee Leong. - Facebook pic, March 20, 2025
Anthony Loke’s delicate balancing act – Ding Lee Leong
DAP's new leadership lineup reflects the secretary-general's attempts at keeping the peace
Updated 18 hours ago
20 March, 2025
9:00 PM MYT
THE results of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) election on March 16 saw some members rising in prominence while others were sidelined. As Secretary-General Anthony Loke initiated a generational transition, the party remains firmly in the hands of its veteran leaders.
This election showcased Loke’s political finesse in balancing power. Through strategic position adjustments, he not only consolidated his own position but also appeased the party’s elders while accommodating various factions, ensuring internal stability.
However, intra-party factional struggles have not been entirely quelled.
The tensions between Steven Sim and both the Lims faction and party veterans, as well as the strong emergence of the younger generation, could shape the party’s power dynamics in the future.
Power distribution: Loke and Nga’s core control
Looking at the newly announced leadership lineup for the next three years, key positions have been entirely divided among Loke, Nga Kor Ming, and the Lim faction.
Lim Guan Eng barely scraped through, and though he lost the party chairman position, he secured an advisory role.
His close ally Khoo Poay Tiong was also promoted, while the chairman position was handed to Gobind Singh Deo, who was widely seen as the natural choice. This indicates that while the Lim faction has receded, it has not collapsed entirely.
Such intricate maneuvering highlights Loke’s political acumen in managing power dynamics.
Winners and losers
Compared to Perak and Johor, where factional leaders emerged victorious, the power struggle in Penang between the Lim and Sim factions led to mutual losses. Lim lost the chairman position, while Sim was removed as organizing secretary.
Nga, despite being overshadowed by the rising Steven Sim in the initial selection, ultimately secured the deputy chairman position.
His cousin, Ngeh Koo Ham, though barely making the cut, replaced Fong Kui Lun as treasurer, sidelining Selangor chief Ng Sze Han.
Other key figures from the Nga camp, such as Wong Kah Woh and rising star Lee Chun Kiat, took on significant roles as election director and political education director, respectively.
This makes Nga’s faction and Perak the biggest winners in this election, solidifying Nga’s position as Loke’s likely successor.
On the other hand, Steven Sim suffered a setback, being demoted from organizing secretary to a deputy secretary-general
position. Interestingly, his close ally Ramkarpal Singh also shares the same deputy secretary-general rank. The once-ambitious young faction has been somewhat restrained.
Meanwhile, the pragmatic Khoo Poay Tiong took over the crucial role of organizing secretary, signaling Loke’s intent to reform the party’s administration.
Johor’s Tan Hong Pin, who was left out of both the Sim and Nga factions, broke through with the support of both Loke and the Lim faction, securing the deputy organizing secretary position alongside Lee Chin Chen, who is perceived as a Sim faction member. Additionally, Loke has attempted to balance Johor’s factional tensions by shifting Liew Chin Tong to the strategy director role.
Veteran figures like Ngeh Koo Ham and seasoned leader Khoo Poay Tiong were placed in key roles, helping to stabilize the party elders. Meanwhile, younger leaders such as Teo Nie Ching, Yeo Bee Yin, Wong Kah Woh, Lee Chun Kiat, and Tan Hong Pin have been promoted, positioning the party for a post-Loke era.
Teo Nie Ching’s rise and factional realignments
The most notable winner is Teo Nie Ching, who, as Johor chief and the highest-voted female candidate, was elevated to vice-chairperson.
Yeo Bee Yin made a strong comeback as publicity secretary, backed by high-ranking central committee members Syefura
Othman and Wong Shu Qi. Yeo’s influence in Selangor is expected to grow further.
Among Sim’s faction, only Kasthuri Patto received a promotion, moving from deputy international secretary to full international secretary—a position with limited significance.
From the new leadership lineup, figures such as Wong Siew Ki, Chew Chong Sin, Arul Kumar, Khoo Poay Tiong, Nga Kor Ming, Tan Hong Pin, Teo Nie Ching, and Yeo Bee Yin emerged as the key winners of this election.
The Fourth Generation leadership battle
Within DAP’s fourth-generation leadership, a contest is brewing among Steven Sim, Wong Kah Woh, and Teo Nie Ching.
Teo holds a strong hand—not only is she close to Yeo Bee Yin, but she also shares a deep bond with Nga Kor Ming, as both are University of Malaya law graduates and former debate teammates.
As the party’s Women’s Wing chairperson, Teo commands an estimated 20% of the central delegates’ votes, thanks to Yeo’s strong support. This could be her key advantage in outpacing her competitors.
Coming from a classic DAP family, Teo’s parents were both party members, and her elder sister was even a candidate before her.
The dilemma for Steven Sim
Sim faces a tough decision—if he follows through with the plan to return to Penang and take over as Chief Minister from Chow Kon Yeow, his ministerial position could fall into Teo Nie Ching’s hands, further strengthening her influence.
Adding to his challenges, Yeoh Soon Hin, a close ally of Loke, sided with Lim Guan Eng at the last moment. If the Lim faction supports him, it could hinder Sim’s path to power in Penang.
Sim’s role in “toppling” Lim Guan Eng has deepened their rivalry and alienated certain veteran leaders, creating another obstacle to his political ascent.
If the choice comes down to Sim or Teo, most votes are likely to favour Teo.
In conclusion, Loke has successfully balanced various factions through strategic manoeuvring, but DAP is no longer an opposition party—future power struggles will remain complex and challenging. – March 20, 2025
Ding Lee Leong is the Executive Director of Oriental Daily.
Anthony Loke’s delicate balancing act – Ding Lee Leong
DAP's new leadership lineup reflects the secretary-general's attempts at keeping the peace
Updated 18 hours ago
20 March, 2025
9:00 PM MYT
THE results of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) election on March 16 saw some members rising in prominence while others were sidelined. As Secretary-General Anthony Loke initiated a generational transition, the party remains firmly in the hands of its veteran leaders.
This election showcased Loke’s political finesse in balancing power. Through strategic position adjustments, he not only consolidated his own position but also appeased the party’s elders while accommodating various factions, ensuring internal stability.
However, intra-party factional struggles have not been entirely quelled.
The tensions between Steven Sim and both the Lims faction and party veterans, as well as the strong emergence of the younger generation, could shape the party’s power dynamics in the future.
Power distribution: Loke and Nga’s core control
Looking at the newly announced leadership lineup for the next three years, key positions have been entirely divided among Loke, Nga Kor Ming, and the Lim faction.
Lim Guan Eng barely scraped through, and though he lost the party chairman position, he secured an advisory role.
His close ally Khoo Poay Tiong was also promoted, while the chairman position was handed to Gobind Singh Deo, who was widely seen as the natural choice. This indicates that while the Lim faction has receded, it has not collapsed entirely.
Such intricate maneuvering highlights Loke’s political acumen in managing power dynamics.
Winners and losers
Compared to Perak and Johor, where factional leaders emerged victorious, the power struggle in Penang between the Lim and Sim factions led to mutual losses. Lim lost the chairman position, while Sim was removed as organizing secretary.
Nga, despite being overshadowed by the rising Steven Sim in the initial selection, ultimately secured the deputy chairman position.
His cousin, Ngeh Koo Ham, though barely making the cut, replaced Fong Kui Lun as treasurer, sidelining Selangor chief Ng Sze Han.
Other key figures from the Nga camp, such as Wong Kah Woh and rising star Lee Chun Kiat, took on significant roles as election director and political education director, respectively.
This makes Nga’s faction and Perak the biggest winners in this election, solidifying Nga’s position as Loke’s likely successor.
On the other hand, Steven Sim suffered a setback, being demoted from organizing secretary to a deputy secretary-general
position. Interestingly, his close ally Ramkarpal Singh also shares the same deputy secretary-general rank. The once-ambitious young faction has been somewhat restrained.
Meanwhile, the pragmatic Khoo Poay Tiong took over the crucial role of organizing secretary, signaling Loke’s intent to reform the party’s administration.
Johor’s Tan Hong Pin, who was left out of both the Sim and Nga factions, broke through with the support of both Loke and the Lim faction, securing the deputy organizing secretary position alongside Lee Chin Chen, who is perceived as a Sim faction member. Additionally, Loke has attempted to balance Johor’s factional tensions by shifting Liew Chin Tong to the strategy director role.
Veteran figures like Ngeh Koo Ham and seasoned leader Khoo Poay Tiong were placed in key roles, helping to stabilize the party elders. Meanwhile, younger leaders such as Teo Nie Ching, Yeo Bee Yin, Wong Kah Woh, Lee Chun Kiat, and Tan Hong Pin have been promoted, positioning the party for a post-Loke era.
Teo Nie Ching’s rise and factional realignments
The most notable winner is Teo Nie Ching, who, as Johor chief and the highest-voted female candidate, was elevated to vice-chairperson.
Yeo Bee Yin made a strong comeback as publicity secretary, backed by high-ranking central committee members Syefura
Othman and Wong Shu Qi. Yeo’s influence in Selangor is expected to grow further.
Among Sim’s faction, only Kasthuri Patto received a promotion, moving from deputy international secretary to full international secretary—a position with limited significance.
From the new leadership lineup, figures such as Wong Siew Ki, Chew Chong Sin, Arul Kumar, Khoo Poay Tiong, Nga Kor Ming, Tan Hong Pin, Teo Nie Ching, and Yeo Bee Yin emerged as the key winners of this election.
The Fourth Generation leadership battle
Within DAP’s fourth-generation leadership, a contest is brewing among Steven Sim, Wong Kah Woh, and Teo Nie Ching.
Teo holds a strong hand—not only is she close to Yeo Bee Yin, but she also shares a deep bond with Nga Kor Ming, as both are University of Malaya law graduates and former debate teammates.
As the party’s Women’s Wing chairperson, Teo commands an estimated 20% of the central delegates’ votes, thanks to Yeo’s strong support. This could be her key advantage in outpacing her competitors.
Coming from a classic DAP family, Teo’s parents were both party members, and her elder sister was even a candidate before her.
The dilemma for Steven Sim
Sim faces a tough decision—if he follows through with the plan to return to Penang and take over as Chief Minister from Chow Kon Yeow, his ministerial position could fall into Teo Nie Ching’s hands, further strengthening her influence.
Adding to his challenges, Yeoh Soon Hin, a close ally of Loke, sided with Lim Guan Eng at the last moment. If the Lim faction supports him, it could hinder Sim’s path to power in Penang.
Sim’s role in “toppling” Lim Guan Eng has deepened their rivalry and alienated certain veteran leaders, creating another obstacle to his political ascent.
If the choice comes down to Sim or Teo, most votes are likely to favour Teo.
In conclusion, Loke has successfully balanced various factions through strategic manoeuvring, but DAP is no longer an opposition party—future power struggles will remain complex and challenging. – March 20, 2025
Ding Lee Leong is the Executive Director of Oriental Daily.
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