The new DAP CEC for the 2025-2028 term elected on March 16. Penang DAP has five representatives in the CEC. - DAP Facebook pic, April 1, 2025
DAP Penang’s lacklustre showing in CEC polls not cause for concern: local leaders
Grassroots leaders wish state chapter was more prominent but remind those unhappy to view results within the context on need for leadership reforms and national role
R. Dineskumar
Updated 48 minutes ago
1 April, 2025
8:00 AM MYT
GEORGE TOWN — Despite Penang being DAP’s bastion after taking over the state in 2008, the party’s chapter here appears to have struggled in maintaining its prominence in the recent central executive committee (CEC) election.
Five Penang DAP leaders were elected into the 30-member committee for this term, the same number from the state in the CEC during the previous term.
The difference this time, is that none of those elected made the cut to become among the top ten. And two prominent Penang DAP leaders – Lim Guan Eng and Chow Kon Yeow – were relegated to party advisor from national chairman, and to committee member from vice-chairman, respectively.
However, Penang DAP Youth committee member Farid Maulud said it is still too early to judge the state chapter, saying its leaders are doing a good job in steering the party here.
Even if Penang DAP has only five people in the CEC, it is enough to represent Penang on various issues, he added.
“Also what is important is that the Penang DAP chief (Steven Sim), and the current Chief Minister (Chow) who is the decision maker in the state, are in the committee. Even if only both of these leaders are in the CEC, that is good enough as they would discuss and fight for Penang (interests),” Farid said.
DAP Penang’s lacklustre showing in CEC polls not cause for concern: local leaders
Grassroots leaders wish state chapter was more prominent but remind those unhappy to view results within the context on need for leadership reforms and national role
R. Dineskumar
Updated 48 minutes ago
1 April, 2025
8:00 AM MYT
GEORGE TOWN — Despite Penang being DAP’s bastion after taking over the state in 2008, the party’s chapter here appears to have struggled in maintaining its prominence in the recent central executive committee (CEC) election.
Five Penang DAP leaders were elected into the 30-member committee for this term, the same number from the state in the CEC during the previous term.
The difference this time, is that none of those elected made the cut to become among the top ten. And two prominent Penang DAP leaders – Lim Guan Eng and Chow Kon Yeow – were relegated to party advisor from national chairman, and to committee member from vice-chairman, respectively.
However, Penang DAP Youth committee member Farid Maulud said it is still too early to judge the state chapter, saying its leaders are doing a good job in steering the party here.
Even if Penang DAP has only five people in the CEC, it is enough to represent Penang on various issues, he added.
“Also what is important is that the Penang DAP chief (Steven Sim), and the current Chief Minister (Chow) who is the decision maker in the state, are in the committee. Even if only both of these leaders are in the CEC, that is good enough as they would discuss and fight for Penang (interests),” Farid said.
Penang DAP Youth committee member Farid Maulud – Courtesy pic, April 1, 2025
At the outset, 11 candidates from Penang DAP had vied for the spots in CEC.
However, four of them – Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Syn Tze, former Bagan Jermal assemblyman Datuk Soon Lip Chee, and party members K. Kalidas and PR Kaliyappan – withdrew from the race citing support for secretary-general Anthony Loke’s plans to revamp the CEC.
Seven leaders from Penang DAP — Chow, state chief Sim, deputy chief Ramkarpal Singh, chapter secretary Lim Hui Ying, state committee member RSN Rayer, former Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto, and former party chairman Lim Guan Eng remained in the race.
Out of the seven, five – Sim, Ramkarpal, Kasthuri, Guan Eng and Chow – made it into the CEC, which is the top 30.
Both Sim and Ramkarpal were appointed as party deputy secretary-general, Kasthuri was made international secretary, while Chow and Lim were made committee member and party advisor, respectively.
However, none of them were in the top 10 of the top 30, with Sim coming in 11th place, followed by Chow (19th place), Ramkarpal (23rd place), Kasthuri (25th place) and Lim (26th place).
Bigger picture
Batu Kawan DAP Youth chief Liinesh Selluandan said Penang DAP’s performance in the leadership election might not be “entirely satisfying” for party members, but it is important to view the outcome as part of a bigger picture.
This includes the current sentiment among grassroots for a new leadership lineup, he noted.
“The outcome could also indicate a need for better outreach (by Penang DAP),” he told Scoop.
“If you look at it (the CEC), it has membership nationwide. Looking at the bigger picture, it is better for the party and also for the country.”
At the outset, 11 candidates from Penang DAP had vied for the spots in CEC.
However, four of them – Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Syn Tze, former Bagan Jermal assemblyman Datuk Soon Lip Chee, and party members K. Kalidas and PR Kaliyappan – withdrew from the race citing support for secretary-general Anthony Loke’s plans to revamp the CEC.
Seven leaders from Penang DAP — Chow, state chief Sim, deputy chief Ramkarpal Singh, chapter secretary Lim Hui Ying, state committee member RSN Rayer, former Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto, and former party chairman Lim Guan Eng remained in the race.
Out of the seven, five – Sim, Ramkarpal, Kasthuri, Guan Eng and Chow – made it into the CEC, which is the top 30.
Both Sim and Ramkarpal were appointed as party deputy secretary-general, Kasthuri was made international secretary, while Chow and Lim were made committee member and party advisor, respectively.
However, none of them were in the top 10 of the top 30, with Sim coming in 11th place, followed by Chow (19th place), Ramkarpal (23rd place), Kasthuri (25th place) and Lim (26th place).
Bigger picture
Batu Kawan DAP Youth chief Liinesh Selluandan said Penang DAP’s performance in the leadership election might not be “entirely satisfying” for party members, but it is important to view the outcome as part of a bigger picture.
This includes the current sentiment among grassroots for a new leadership lineup, he noted.
“The outcome could also indicate a need for better outreach (by Penang DAP),” he told Scoop.
“If you look at it (the CEC), it has membership nationwide. Looking at the bigger picture, it is better for the party and also for the country.”
Batu Kawan DAP Youth chief and national DAP Youth vice chairman Liinesh Selluandan. – Courtesy pic, April 1, 2025
Meanwhile, Happy Valley DAP division chief R. Ganeson said he felt Penang DAP should have more representation in the CEC as the state chapter had led the change of state government in the 2008 general election.
“Penang DAP was the one who first took over the state government in 2008. So, I think we should have more seats in the central leadership,” he said.
On the other hand, Liinesh, who is also DAP Youth vice-chairman, argued for balanced representation of leaders in the CEC from all states.
While Penang DAP’s contribution to the party has been significant, it must be remembered that the party is a national one and needs representation from other states in the leadership to preserve unity, Liinesh said.
The issue of balanced representation is more nuanced for Farid, who said achieving this would depend on the strength of the party in states like Kedah, Kelantan and Perlis, where the party has few divisions and very few elected representatives.
For these states, the state DAP chief could be given an ex-officio position, he suggested.
It is the states with stronger DAP support and where the party is in the state government – like Penang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak and Sabah – that should have adequate representation in the CEC, Farid said.
Meanwhile, Happy Valley DAP division chief R. Ganeson said he felt Penang DAP should have more representation in the CEC as the state chapter had led the change of state government in the 2008 general election.
“Penang DAP was the one who first took over the state government in 2008. So, I think we should have more seats in the central leadership,” he said.
On the other hand, Liinesh, who is also DAP Youth vice-chairman, argued for balanced representation of leaders in the CEC from all states.
While Penang DAP’s contribution to the party has been significant, it must be remembered that the party is a national one and needs representation from other states in the leadership to preserve unity, Liinesh said.
The issue of balanced representation is more nuanced for Farid, who said achieving this would depend on the strength of the party in states like Kedah, Kelantan and Perlis, where the party has few divisions and very few elected representatives.
For these states, the state DAP chief could be given an ex-officio position, he suggested.
It is the states with stronger DAP support and where the party is in the state government – like Penang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak and Sabah – that should have adequate representation in the CEC, Farid said.
Happy Valley DAP division chief R. Ganeson. – Scoop pic/R.Dineskumar, April 1, 2025
Increase membership, branches in Penang
For Penang DAP to increase its representation in CEC in the future, Ganeson and Farid suggested that more branches be created here and to increase membership in the state.
“Penang DAP would have to open up more branches. Then only they will have more say in the CEC (elections),” Ganeson said.
State leaders with ambitions to be part of the CEC also need to establish good working relations with leaders from other states to increase their chances of getting elected, Farid added.
Liinesh suggested that Penang DAP leaders do more groundwork to increase their prospects of being elected. According to him, there were some CEC candidates, including from other states, who lost the contest due to poor connections with grassroots members, even if they had a well-run campaign.
“There are DAP leaders who did very little work for the community and also the party. That was the reason why they lost,” he said. – April 1, 2025
Increase membership, branches in Penang
For Penang DAP to increase its representation in CEC in the future, Ganeson and Farid suggested that more branches be created here and to increase membership in the state.
“Penang DAP would have to open up more branches. Then only they will have more say in the CEC (elections),” Ganeson said.
State leaders with ambitions to be part of the CEC also need to establish good working relations with leaders from other states to increase their chances of getting elected, Farid added.
Liinesh suggested that Penang DAP leaders do more groundwork to increase their prospects of being elected. According to him, there were some CEC candidates, including from other states, who lost the contest due to poor connections with grassroots members, even if they had a well-run campaign.
“There are DAP leaders who did very little work for the community and also the party. That was the reason why they lost,” he said. – April 1, 2025
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