GEORGE TOWN: All eyes will be at the Ideal Convention Centre (IDCC) in Shah Alam for the DAP national congress where the battle is expected to be the most intense in recent years.
A total of 4,203 delegates from 1,650 branches in the country are eligible to cast their votes today, where some 70 candidates are vying for 30 central executive committee (CEC) seats.
A total of 15 female candidates are also in the running for the nine seats reserved for women.
The 30 elected members will have the authority to co-opt an additional 10 members. The CEC members will then elect the party’s office bearers, led by the secretary-general.
Yesterday, four Penang-based candidates, including a state assemblyman, announced their withdrawal from the CEC race.
Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Syn Tze, former Bagan Jermal assemblyman Datuk Soon Lip Chee and ordinary members K. Kalidas and PR Kaliyappan said the move was a show of support for the party’s “3G” (third generation) leadership under secretary- general Anthony Loke.
“It’s important to form a strong and united leadership to face the next general election and we pledge our full backing to Loke “to restructure the CEC and inject fresh energy”, they said in a joint statement.
Bukit Kepayang assemblyman Nicole Tan has also reportedly withdrawn from the CEC contest, claiming that it was to lend support to Loke’s cause.
Among the DAP key leaders in the contest are Loke, national chairman Lim Guan Eng, Gobind Singh Deo, Ramkarpal Singh, Nga Kor Ming, Chow Kon Yeow, Steven Sim, RSN Rayer and Chong Chieng Jen.
The prominent women candidates include Hannah Yeoh, Teresa Kok, Teo Nie Ching, Yeo Bee Yin, Young Syefura Othman, Lim Hui Ying, Vivian Wong, Wong Shu Qi, Alice Lau and Kasthuri Patto.
After weeks of internal campaigning, wild accusations and flying poison-pen letters, the rumour mill continued on overdrive even on the eve of the election. And Guan Eng had to take to Facebook to dismiss speculation that he was withdrawing from the party’s CEC contest, describing the media reports suggesting his withdrawal as “unverified and false”.
Earlier, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran, Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun, Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai and veteran Penang party leader Datuk Seri Phee Boon Poh had announced they will not be contesting the CEC election.
On Friday, Loke pledged to implement a significant overhaul of the party’s CEC if he was re-elected in the party polls.
He had reportedly said that a major reshuffle would allow for different leaders to take on new roles, ensuring leadership renewal within the party.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is the Pakatan Harapan chairman, is expected to attend the congress today.
Other key Pakatan leaders also invited are Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick.
