'Romance of the 3 Kingdoms': Can Guan Eng survive DAP polls in March?
Lee Way Loon
Published: Jan 24, 2025 11:00 AM
Updated: Jan 25, 2025 1:29 AM
Summary
- Lim Guan Eng’s political dominance in Penang is waning and the upcoming DAP central executive committee election in March is crucial for his political future.
- His influence declined after stepping down as secretary-general in 2022, with Anthony Loke and Nga Kor Ming’s factions gaining prominence.
- The stance of Loke and Nga on ousting Guan Eng remains unclear, but ironically, attacks from Umno leaders like Ahmad Zahid Hamidi may bolster Guan Eng’s chances in the party elections.
Anyone following Malaysian politics, particularly in Penang, would know that DAP national chairperson Lim Guan Eng has an infamous moniker - “tokong” (deity).
This term originated in 2012 when Guan Eng was still the Penang chief minister. Then-deputy CM Mansor Othman criticised his perceived arrogance in a closed-door meeting, referring to him as “tokong”.
Although Mansor later clarified that “tokong” was meant to reflect the high regard and esteem Penangites had for Guan Eng, it was evident that he was uncomfortable with the term. Over the years, he has repeatedly and publicly urged people to refrain from using it.
Regardless of interpretation, the term came to symbolise his once-unassailable political dominance in Penang over the past 16 years.
However, since the Penang DAP state election on Sept 22 last year, a series of developments have raised questions about whether Guan Eng’s political aura is beginning to fade.
This term originated in 2012 when Guan Eng was still the Penang chief minister. Then-deputy CM Mansor Othman criticised his perceived arrogance in a closed-door meeting, referring to him as “tokong”.
Although Mansor later clarified that “tokong” was meant to reflect the high regard and esteem Penangites had for Guan Eng, it was evident that he was uncomfortable with the term. Over the years, he has repeatedly and publicly urged people to refrain from using it.
Regardless of interpretation, the term came to symbolise his once-unassailable political dominance in Penang over the past 16 years.
However, since the Penang DAP state election on Sept 22 last year, a series of developments have raised questions about whether Guan Eng’s political aura is beginning to fade.
DAP national chairperson Lim Guan Eng
Although he did not contest the state DAP election, his influence loomed over the proceedings. Guan Eng and his supporters had a few times publicly criticised Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s administration, fuelling speculation that he intended to push for his sister, Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying, as Penang DAP chairperson - a potential stepping stone to the CM role.
However, with DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke’s “intervention” - an allegation that Loke has denied - Human Resources Minister Steven Sim was elected as Penang DAP chairperson, while Hui Ying retained her position as state DAP secretary.
The election results triggered widespread speculation that Guan Eng’s faction had suffered a major blow, with some of his loyalists seemingly abandoning him.
Two months later, in mid-December, a Bagan DAP parliamentary constituency delegates’ meeting chaired by Guan Eng once failed to convene due to a lack of quorum.
Notably absent were local heavyweights Phee Boon Poh and his brother Boon Chee, further fuelling rumours of fractures within Guan Eng’s once-formidable stronghold.
For his supporters, however, the bigger challenge lies ahead - the DAP central executive committee election scheduled for March 16.
Insiders claimed that the Penang DAP election results revealed a decline in Guan Eng’s support within the state, now estimated at only 30 to 40 percent.
“His true strength has been exposed,” one CEC member told Malaysiakini.
The 2022 CEC election
Guan Eng served as DAP secretary-general from May 2004 to March 2022. During his 18-year tenure, the party enjoyed a golden era, capturing Penang, as well as co-governing other states and Putrajaya alongside coalition partners.
In the 2022 party election, Guan Eng stepped down as secretary-general due to term limits. Rumours swirled that he would transition to the role of chairperson and potentially continue wielding influence behind the scenes.
The secretary-general post is the highest in DAP, comparable with the president’s post in other parties.
However, just days before the election, Loke and Perak DAP chief Nga Kor Ming reached an agreement to join forces. This ensured that Loke emerged as a powerful secretary-general, while Nga secured the role of DAP parliamentary leader, becoming the party’s second-most influential figure.
It was said that several leaders also pressured Guan Eng and his father Lim Kit Siang to step down together. Although Kit Siang initially accepted a nomination to contest, he ultimately announced his retirement during the party congress on March 20, 2022, withdrawing from the CEC race and declaring he would no longer contest parliamentary or state elections.
While Guan Eng assumed the chairperson role as planned, the combined strength of Loke and Nga’s factions gradually eroded his influence.
Within the DAP, the states of Perak, Selangor, and Penang host the most branches. Nga, after years of consolidation, now firmly controls Perak DAP, the party’s largest delegate base.
Although Negeri Sembilan, where Loke serves as state chairperson, is not a major base, Loke enjoys loyal support across multiple states.
Selangor, meanwhile, remains fragmented among various factions, with no dominant camp.
Power dynamics within DAP
However, the Penang DAP election last September disrupted the balance. With Guan Eng’s base shrinking, grassroots movements are reportedly brewing to oust him in the March CEC elections.
A DAP CEC member likened the party’s current power dynamics to the three kingdoms era in Chinese history.
“If Loke and Nga join forces, the Guan Eng faction could collapse. However, given DAP’s culture and traditions, I believe Loke won’t take that step,” the leader said.
As of now, neither Loke nor Nga has explicitly indicated their stance on ousting Guan Eng.
Although he did not contest the state DAP election, his influence loomed over the proceedings. Guan Eng and his supporters had a few times publicly criticised Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s administration, fuelling speculation that he intended to push for his sister, Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying, as Penang DAP chairperson - a potential stepping stone to the CM role.
However, with DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke’s “intervention” - an allegation that Loke has denied - Human Resources Minister Steven Sim was elected as Penang DAP chairperson, while Hui Ying retained her position as state DAP secretary.
The election results triggered widespread speculation that Guan Eng’s faction had suffered a major blow, with some of his loyalists seemingly abandoning him.
Two months later, in mid-December, a Bagan DAP parliamentary constituency delegates’ meeting chaired by Guan Eng once failed to convene due to a lack of quorum.
Notably absent were local heavyweights Phee Boon Poh and his brother Boon Chee, further fuelling rumours of fractures within Guan Eng’s once-formidable stronghold.
For his supporters, however, the bigger challenge lies ahead - the DAP central executive committee election scheduled for March 16.
Insiders claimed that the Penang DAP election results revealed a decline in Guan Eng’s support within the state, now estimated at only 30 to 40 percent.
“His true strength has been exposed,” one CEC member told Malaysiakini.
The 2022 CEC election
Guan Eng served as DAP secretary-general from May 2004 to March 2022. During his 18-year tenure, the party enjoyed a golden era, capturing Penang, as well as co-governing other states and Putrajaya alongside coalition partners.
In the 2022 party election, Guan Eng stepped down as secretary-general due to term limits. Rumours swirled that he would transition to the role of chairperson and potentially continue wielding influence behind the scenes.
The secretary-general post is the highest in DAP, comparable with the president’s post in other parties.
However, just days before the election, Loke and Perak DAP chief Nga Kor Ming reached an agreement to join forces. This ensured that Loke emerged as a powerful secretary-general, while Nga secured the role of DAP parliamentary leader, becoming the party’s second-most influential figure.
It's a great pleasure to have a very fruitful and good discussion over dinner with Sdr Nga Kor Ming on the future of our beloved party!
While Guan Eng assumed the chairperson role as planned, the combined strength of Loke and Nga’s factions gradually eroded his influence.
Within the DAP, the states of Perak, Selangor, and Penang host the most branches. Nga, after years of consolidation, now firmly controls Perak DAP, the party’s largest delegate base.
Although Negeri Sembilan, where Loke serves as state chairperson, is not a major base, Loke enjoys loyal support across multiple states.
Selangor, meanwhile, remains fragmented among various factions, with no dominant camp.
Power dynamics within DAP
However, the Penang DAP election last September disrupted the balance. With Guan Eng’s base shrinking, grassroots movements are reportedly brewing to oust him in the March CEC elections.
A DAP CEC member likened the party’s current power dynamics to the three kingdoms era in Chinese history.
“If Loke and Nga join forces, the Guan Eng faction could collapse. However, given DAP’s culture and traditions, I believe Loke won’t take that step,” the leader said.
As of now, neither Loke nor Nga has explicitly indicated their stance on ousting Guan Eng.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke
Addressing speculation about a movement to remove Guan Eng, Loke said the party elections should not revolve around a single individual or position.
“The party election is about the direction of the party… I don’t think we should focus on Guan Eng or any one person, but on the future of the DAP,” he told Oriental Daily in an interview on Tuesday.
A CEC member noted that removing Guan Eng would not be easy.
“It’s possible, but not easy… After the ‘unexpected events’ in Penang, I think Guan Eng will do something,” said the source who wished to remain anonymous.
Party insiders suggest that, with no avenue in Perak, Guan Eng may focus on rallying support in Selangor.
Lims prepared to leave
When asked by reporters in Penang on Wednesday, Guan Eng revealed that he has decided on whether to contest in the upcoming party polls. However, he added that he would only announce it at an appropriate time.
Meanwhile, Hui Ying recently stated in two separate interviews with Kwong Wah Yit Poh and Oriental Daily that the Lim family is prepared to “leave” if party members and voters no longer see their service as necessary.
“At the party level, it’s up to the grassroots to decide. At the national level, voters will make that call,” the media-shy politician said in a rare interview.
Currently, Guan Eng serves as the Bagan MP and state assemblyperson for Air Putih. Without a ministerial position, he has been freer to speak on various issues.
Last September, when Seputeh MP Teresa Kok was investigated over a halal certification issue, Guan Eng publicly defended her, insisting she had done nothing wrong.
On Dec 31 last year, as Umno and PAS prepared to rally in support of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, Guan Eng questioned Umno’s sincerity in remaining in the Madani coalition government.
His remarks provoked a backlash from Umno leaders, with its president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reminding Guan Eng that “his time has passed”.
These instances of Guan Eng speaking up filled a gap left by the party’s central leadership on sensitive issues, garnering him some grassroots support.
Addressing speculation about a movement to remove Guan Eng, Loke said the party elections should not revolve around a single individual or position.
“The party election is about the direction of the party… I don’t think we should focus on Guan Eng or any one person, but on the future of the DAP,” he told Oriental Daily in an interview on Tuesday.
A CEC member noted that removing Guan Eng would not be easy.
“It’s possible, but not easy… After the ‘unexpected events’ in Penang, I think Guan Eng will do something,” said the source who wished to remain anonymous.
Party insiders suggest that, with no avenue in Perak, Guan Eng may focus on rallying support in Selangor.
Lims prepared to leave
When asked by reporters in Penang on Wednesday, Guan Eng revealed that he has decided on whether to contest in the upcoming party polls. However, he added that he would only announce it at an appropriate time.
Meanwhile, Hui Ying recently stated in two separate interviews with Kwong Wah Yit Poh and Oriental Daily that the Lim family is prepared to “leave” if party members and voters no longer see their service as necessary.
“At the party level, it’s up to the grassroots to decide. At the national level, voters will make that call,” the media-shy politician said in a rare interview.
Currently, Guan Eng serves as the Bagan MP and state assemblyperson for Air Putih. Without a ministerial position, he has been freer to speak on various issues.
Last September, when Seputeh MP Teresa Kok was investigated over a halal certification issue, Guan Eng publicly defended her, insisting she had done nothing wrong.
On Dec 31 last year, as Umno and PAS prepared to rally in support of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, Guan Eng questioned Umno’s sincerity in remaining in the Madani coalition government.
His remarks provoked a backlash from Umno leaders, with its president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reminding Guan Eng that “his time has passed”.
These instances of Guan Eng speaking up filled a gap left by the party’s central leadership on sensitive issues, garnering him some grassroots support.
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
A DAP CEC member remarked that the more Umno and PAS leaders attacked him, the stronger his chances of surviving the party elections.
While the stance of Loke and Nga remains unclear, ironically, figures like Zahid may become Guan Eng’s lifeline in the March party polls.
The DAP practices a two-tiered system in which party delegates elect 30 members to the CEC. These 30 members then determine appointments to key party positions.
In an interview with Malaysiakini last November, Loke confirmed his intention to seek re-election as secretary-general in the DAP central election next March.
A DAP CEC member remarked that the more Umno and PAS leaders attacked him, the stronger his chances of surviving the party elections.
While the stance of Loke and Nga remains unclear, ironically, figures like Zahid may become Guan Eng’s lifeline in the March party polls.
The DAP practices a two-tiered system in which party delegates elect 30 members to the CEC. These 30 members then determine appointments to key party positions.
In an interview with Malaysiakini last November, Loke confirmed his intention to seek re-election as secretary-general in the DAP central election next March.
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kt comments:
Leaders come and go so what has and will happen is normal. But LGE committed one bad mistake which I frown upon - he publicly criticised Chow Kon Yew for issues that could have been discussed behind closed doors - not good image for the party's unity, and also demonstrated his ugliness in apparently wanting to get rid of Chow.
Never underestimate the Dark Side of The Force.
ReplyDeleteIf Tokong is found guilty in his current case, then he is toast, likely the rest of the Lim Dynasty as well.
If he is acquired, expect Tokong to come roaring back to power..