73 DAP leaders nominated for 20 CEC posts
With greater power comes greater competition it would seem. DAP is having its triennial national congress this Aug 23 and 24 and competition for party leadership positions will be intense.
With greater power comes greater competition it would seem. DAP is having its triennial national congress this Aug 23 and 24 and competition for party leadership positions will be intense.
A slew of candidates have been identified with an unprecedented 73 members being nominated for the party’s 20 central executive committee (CEC) seats.
DAP national organising secretary Tan Kok Wai announced the congress’ dates at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today but said the venue had not yet been finalised.
Stating that the number of CEC candidates was the highest ever in party history, he added: "Hence, I say this might be the stiffest party elections yet".
Party delegates will elect their 20 CEC members on day one of the congress, August 23. Those elected will decide amongst themselves the top positions - chairperson, secretary-general, treasurer etc.
Tan (left) said the list was not final as nominated candidates have to confirm acceptance. "If they wish to withdraw from the election, they have to inform the party’s headquarters before Aug 8."
Each member standing for a CEC post needs nominations from at least two branches to qualify.
Tan also said DAP intends to amend its constitution to bar members from contesting in a general election just immediately after joining the party.
"We want them to first to prove their sincerity and deliver for the party," he said, adding that this was a consequence of huge membership sign-ups since the general elections.
There are now 90,707 DAP members, after around 10,000 joined in the aftermath of the March 8 polls.
Full coverage allowed
However, the party is willing to make exceptions to this rule to allow for those ‘with great ability’, said Tan.
"If certain individuals already have an excellent record before joining, the CEC can give them permission to contest in a general election, even if they have been in the party for only a day, " he said.
In a departure from previous years, Tan said the media would be allowed to cover the entire congress proceedings. In the past, newsmen could only report the speeches of the party leaders.
Tan said the congress would proceed irrespective of whether it clashed with the date for upcoming Permatang Pauh by-election which has yet to be announced.
The party’s congress this year will be attended by 952 delegates nationwide, with Perak making-up the largest delegation at 170.
DAP’s fortunes have been on the rise with the results of the last general elections when they garnered 28 parliamentary seats and 72 state seats.
As part of the Pakatan Rakyat opposition coalition, they head the Penang government with party Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng as chief minister there. DAP assembly persons also make up the governments in Perak (above) and Selangor.
Besides stalwarts like Lim Kit Siang and Karpal, many fresh faces who cut their teeth in the 12th general elections have made it to this year’s CEC nomination list.
Among them are Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo, Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi, Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua, Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching and Subang Jaya state assembly person Hannah Yeoh.
