Delegates abuzz over S'gor DAP contest
The Sunway International Convention Centre is abuzz with the din of anticipation, as a sea of white shirts floods the venue of the 16th Selangor DAP state ordinary convention today.
The Sunway International Convention Centre was abuzz with anticipation, as a sea of white shirts flooded the venue of the 16th Selangor DAP state ordinary convention today.
Earlier this morning, as delegates streamed into the meeting hall where the state's leadership for the next two years was to be decided, Teng Chang Khim and Ean Yong Hian Wah were seen actively engaging the flock, giving firm handshakes with permanent smiles plastered on their faces.
The atmosphere seemed amiable enough, but there was no mistaking the subtle hints of anxiety among candidates and delegates alike, with some last-minute campaigning going around.
The most obvious effort was by Ronnie Liu (left), whose supporters had gone around earlier in the morning to hand out leaflets in English and Chinese detailing the Selangor exco's background and manifesto.
"A vote for YB Ronnie Liu is a vote for the progress of DAP in particular and the rakyat in general," read the leaflet.
Some delegates have also received SMSes, purportedly sent by supporters of the Unity team headed by Selangor executive councillor Teresa Kok, urging delegates to vote the specific combination of candidates who are under the Unity banner.
Fifty candidates had vied for the 15 posts in the the state party's central committee.
They registered a strong turnout of at least 812 delegates out of the 1,016 qualified to vote in this year's party elections.
The loudest cheer however was reserved for Teng, with delegates sounding genuinely ecstatic as he took to the stage.
Fellow Rainbow team member Ng Suee Lim was also met with a good response, as were M Batumalai and T Kannan.
A somewhat more muted response met members of the Unity team, though the reception for team leader Kok was enthusiastic enough.
Liu, who only pledged his allegiance to the Unity team at the 11th hour last Friday night, drew a mixed response from the delegates, with some at the back booing him as he made his way onstage.
