Tempers flare after Kit Siang dinner, Guan Eng's aide calls Sim 'traitor'
Lee Way Loon
Published: Feb 16, 2025 8:00 PM
Updated: 11:19 PM
Summary
- Internal strife in DAP is picking up, with an associate to national chairperson Lim Guan Eng openly berating state chief Steven Sim during a dinner in Penang.
- Sim merely responds with a smile.
- Incident takes place the same day party secretary-general Anthony Loke dismissed claims of internal conflict.
Internal conflict within the DAP has intensified, with an associate of national chairperson Lim Guan Eng openly berating state chief Steven Sim with Hokkien vulgarities at a dinner in Penang.
The dinner was held to honour party veteran and Guan Eng’s father, Kit Siang.
Despite the outburst, Sim remained composed, responding only with a smile.
Ironically, this happened on the same day party secretary-general Anthony Loke dismissed claims of any internal strife within the party.
An eyewitness confirmed to Malaysiakini that the incident happened when Sim greeted the supporters after the dinner.
A portion of the incident was captured on video and has since gone viral on social media.
The man who berated Sim has been identified as Tan Khong Chong, a special assistant to Guan Eng, who is the Bagan MP and faces a significant challenge in the party’s central executive committee (CEC) election on March 16.
READ MORE: Guan Eng turns to old guards as Loke-Nga seek to force him out
The footage showed that two other party figures - Bagan Jermal assemblyperson Chee Yeeh Keen and Bagan DAP Youth chief Foo Weng Kar - were also present.
Penang DAP chief Steven Sim (in white shirt) smiles despite being berated by an associate of Lim Guan Eng at a tribute dinner
According to the eyewitness, as guests were leaving, Tan approached Sim and repeatedly shouted “Fan Gu Zai” (traitor) for nearly 10 seconds.
The video footage shows Sim warmly greeting attendees and posing for photos, while Tan, standing behind him, loudly accuses him in Hokkien of attempting to undermine his “boss” (Guan Eng).
Vulgar Hokkien insult
At one point, Tan hurled a vulgar insult at Sim in Hokkien.
“Kiong*** ... Never mind, let him fall!” Tan is heard exclaiming.
The footage also showed Tan reaching out to pat Sim on the shoulder, appearing to confront him directly.
“Eh, Steven, I’m not wrong, am I? You’re a traitor, aren’t you?
“If he dares to fight, we dare to fight too. What’s there to fear? He has his people, and we have ours. Let’s wait and see!”
According to the eyewitness, as guests were leaving, Tan approached Sim and repeatedly shouted “Fan Gu Zai” (traitor) for nearly 10 seconds.
The video footage shows Sim warmly greeting attendees and posing for photos, while Tan, standing behind him, loudly accuses him in Hokkien of attempting to undermine his “boss” (Guan Eng).
Vulgar Hokkien insult
At one point, Tan hurled a vulgar insult at Sim in Hokkien.
“Kiong*** ... Never mind, let him fall!” Tan is heard exclaiming.
The footage also showed Tan reaching out to pat Sim on the shoulder, appearing to confront him directly.
“Eh, Steven, I’m not wrong, am I? You’re a traitor, aren’t you?
“If he dares to fight, we dare to fight too. What’s there to fear? He has his people, and we have ours. Let’s wait and see!”
A tribute dinner for DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang
During the exchange, a man stepped in, seemingly attempting to block Tan from getting any closer to Sim.
READ MORE: At Kit Siang tribute dinner, Guan Eng dismisses 'Lim Dynasty' claims
However, Sim remained unfazed throughout, neither responding nor engaging, continuing instead to smile and interact with attendees.
When contacted this evening, Sim appeared unconcerned about the incident.
“Last night’s event was about celebrating Lao Da’s (a respectful term for Kit Siang) birthday. Lao Da was happy, and all our comrades were happy too.
“That’s what matters most to me. Everything else is unimportant,” he told Malaysiakini.
Speculation over Guan Eng’s waning influence
Last month, Malaysiakini reported that 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.
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 Loke’s “intervention” - an allegation that Loke has denied - 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.
READ MORE: 'Romance of the 3 Kingdoms': Can Guan Eng survive DAP polls in March?
During the exchange, a man stepped in, seemingly attempting to block Tan from getting any closer to Sim.
READ MORE: At Kit Siang tribute dinner, Guan Eng dismisses 'Lim Dynasty' claims
However, Sim remained unfazed throughout, neither responding nor engaging, continuing instead to smile and interact with attendees.
When contacted this evening, Sim appeared unconcerned about the incident.
“Last night’s event was about celebrating Lao Da’s (a respectful term for Kit Siang) birthday. Lao Da was happy, and all our comrades were happy too.
“That’s what matters most to me. Everything else is unimportant,” he told Malaysiakini.
Speculation over Guan Eng’s waning influence
Last month, Malaysiakini reported that 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.
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 Loke’s “intervention” - an allegation that Loke has denied - 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.
READ MORE: 'Romance of the 3 Kingdoms': Can Guan Eng survive DAP polls in March?
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kt comments:
A very disgraceful and sad day for the DAP, and don't forget, it was caused by a member of Tokong's camp, wakakaka.
I haven't seen or heard Sim actually doing anything to undermine or attack LGE.. why so much vitriol ?
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