DAP will not be bossed around by Umno, Guan Eng tells party elders

DAP will not be bossed around by Umno, Guan Eng tells party elders


Published: Mar 9, 2025 9:35 AM
Updated: 1:21 PM


Summary

• Lim Guan Eng says only party members will determine his future as a leader.

• DAP chairperson reminds party veterans that DAP has never been bossed around by Umno, while part of the opposition or as a partner in government.

DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng has reaffirmed that his future as leader of the Pakatan Harapan component party will only be determined by its members.

Amid speculations ahead of the DAP election, Lim reminded party veterans last night of members’ role in deciding his future.

“Whether my time has passed will be determined by DAP members and not by the Umno president.

“DAP was never bossed around by Umno when we were in opposition and will not be bossed around when we are in government,” said Lim at the DAP National Veterans Club dinner in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, last night.

The former Penang chief minister said this in reference to Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi claiming earlier this year that the Bagan MP’s era has passed and urged him to trust the next DAP leadership.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

Zahid’s jibe at Lim at the time was made in response to the latter’s statement criticising Umno for planning a joint rally with the opposition party PAS to show solidarity with incarcerated former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

The rally coincided with a hearing concerning a royal addendum that could allow Najib to serve the remainder of his prison term under house arrest.

Veterans’ contributions

Lim believes DAP veterans can contribute to the party even after retiring from active politics.

“You can still play a role by being a voice of conscience for the party as well as being a conduit of public opinion of government policies.

“I wish to thank once again our veteran members for never giving up on DAP. Because of that, Malaysia can hope for a better future,” he added.

Among party veterans not in the running for the Central Executive Committee (CEC) election are M Kulasegaran, Tan Kok Wai and Fong Kui Lun.

Several sources familiar with the matter told Malaysiakini that DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke met Lim last week, in an attempt to persuade the latter not to contest the party chairpersonship while still retaining his position as a CEC member.

The party’s 18th National Congress and CEC election will be held at the Ideal Convention Centre in Shah Alam on March 16 at 10am.