Si Pin is now the Gerakan Youth chief

KUALA LUMPUR: Gerakan deputy Youth head Lim Si Pin, 39, is now the wing’s chief.

Lim, a company director, polled 242 votes to beat Chai Tek Loong and Tan Keng Liang for the post.

The members' choice: Lim being carried by his supporters after the results were announced in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Chai and Tan garnered 105 and 115 votes respectively.

There were seven spoilt votes.

A total of 1,039 Youth delegates were eligible to vote with a turnout rate of 44.85%.

Oh Tong Keong, 40, a sales manager, was voted as deputy Youth chief, beating Paul Yong.

Simpang Renggam MP Liang Teck Meng, 37, businessman David Ang Chin Tat, 38, and lawyer Vincent Hooi Wy-Hon, 36, were elected as the wing’s vice-chiefs.

Two other candidates for the position were S. Vijaya Kumar and Stephen Doss.

Lim, the son of former Gerakan president Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik, said he was willing to work with those who contested in the election, regardless of whether they won or lost.

“My job is to spot talented and brave youth (who contested) and invite them back into our committee.

“There are no sides in Gerakan. We are all one. I am offering them an opportunity to work with us,” said Lim.

Lim is the first Youth chief to be elected by delegates as there had never been a contest for the top post since the wing was set up in 1983.

For central committee delegates, all state youth chiefs were elected into the committee except Selangor Youth chief Ben Liew Pok Boon.

Those voted in were Tan Kok Seong, Hng Chee Wey, Alex Ong Yeok Leng, Jack Cheow Woon San, Khor Hock Peng, A. Kuhan, Lau Hoi Keong, Chong Chee Yen, Cheah Chee Kuan, Ou Kwee Hua, Khoo Kha Shin, Ong Teng Boon, Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai, Ong Boon Hong, Tan Keit Hock, Chia Gim Tiong, Chang Shui Kiong and Yap Chen Heng.