DAP polls: Teng wants Guan Eng to stay for now, but not his sister

DAP polls: Teng wants Guan Eng to stay for now, but not his sister

Lee Way Loon
Published: Feb 28, 2025 9:20 AM
Updated: 1:47 PM


Summary

• DAP veteran Teng Chang Khim urges delaying Lim Guan Eng’s removal from the DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC), arguing that the party's new leadership lacks the necessary prestige and track record to fill the leadership void immediately.

• However, Teng opposes Lim Hui Ying’s retention in the CEC, warning against the continuation of a "Lim dynasty" and advocating against family-based leadership succession in the party.

• Teng also calls for party reforms, including changes to the candidate selection process, urging decision-making power to be returned to the CEC or Central Working Committee (CWC) instead of informal small committees.

Embattled DAP national chairperson Lim Guan Eng has received unexpected support from party veteran Teng Chang Khim, who opined that he should be retained in the Central Executive Committee (CEC) for three more years.

Despite being one of the fiercest critics of the alleged "Lim dynasty", Teng argued that the new generation of DAP leaders has yet to establish the credibility and track record needed to navigate the current political landscape.

He first voiced this position in a Jan 23 post on X, sparking speculation given his history of opposing hereditary leadership in the party.

In the 2001 DAP election, Teng, the then-DAP Youth chief, openly urged party chairperson Lim Kit Siang, Guan Eng’s father, not to accept any nominations.

DAP veteran Teng Chang Khim

Under Guan Eng’s tenure as secretary-general, Teng was sidelined from the party mainstream and later stepped away from active politics in 2023.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Teng clarified that he is not against Guan Eng’s eventual removal but believed it should be delayed.

"We need to assess the situation. While removing him may be emotionally gratifying - since it can feel like a form of vengeance - such feelings are personal. We must consider the broader political landscape," he said during an interview for Malaysiakini’s Chinese-language podcast on Tuesday.

"The purpose of a party election is to elect leaders. This leadership team is entering its second term. Now is the time to strengthen and consolidate their standing."

The podcast was released yesterday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Addressing non-Muslim concerns

Teng cited recent issues affecting non-Muslims, including proposed interfaith guidelines for Muslims attending non-Muslim events.

He argued that the Chinese community perceives the DAP leadership as weak in handling such matters and that Guan Eng still plays a crucial role in articulating the party’s stance.

He added that the government, facing growing pressure from PAS and the "Green Wave", is treading carefully to avoid alienating Malay and Muslim voters.

"When the freedoms and lifestyles of non-Muslims are threatened, it seems that no political leader or MP is stepping up to express a firm position," he said.

"If ‘Tokong’ (an infamous moniker for Guan Eng) is removed, a vacuum will form, and it cannot be filled in the short term. This will weaken the party’s standing within the government."

Warning against party collapse

Teng warned that if Guan Eng is removed now and the next generation fails to gain public trust within three years, DAP risks losing support or even facing collapse.

When asked if Guan Eng should also retain his position as chairperson, Teng responded that rejecting the feudalistic culture of "family rule" was more important.

"Our criticism is not about the Lim family itself, but about the broader culture of passing leadership from father to son or daughter. This mindset has already spread within the party, and we should challenge it.

"If I had voting rights, I would not vote for Lim Hui Ying (Guan Eng's sister, who is contesting a CEC post). Keeping her in the CEC would only perpetuate the Lim dynasty.

"If we are even bolder, we could ensure that Guan Eng’s son does not contest in the next general election to succeed his father. If we can accomplish this, it would be meaningful in reforming the party’s political culture. The focus should not be on whether Guan Eng stays or whether he remains chairperson," he said.

Lim Guan Eng’s sister Lim Hui Ying

Teng also called for reforms in DAP’s candidate selection process, urging that decision-making power be returned to the CEC or Central Working Committee (CWC) as stipulated in the party constitution - rather than being controlled by an informal three- or five-member committee.

DAP's CEC election follows a two-tier process where the delegates first elect 30 members into the CEC, who then internally select the office-bearers, including the secretary-general, the highest post in DAP, comparable with the president’s post in other parties.

Therefore, any leader aspiring to a top position must ensure both themselves and their allies secure enough votes in the first round to stand a chance in the final election.

It is said that Guan Eng, who is the Bagan MP, will be facing a significant challenge in the CEC election on March 16.

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kt comments:

Teng sure knows his stuff - fully agreed with his proposals.