Teresa wins Selangor DAP chief post with slim margin

PETALING JAYA — Selangor Executive Councillor Teresa Kok was elected the state DAP chairman today, after the new committee met to select new office bearers.

Kok, however, was only supported by eight of the 15 committee members, despite the victory of 10 of her team members.

Her rival, Selangor Assembly Speaker Teng Chang Khim managed to get seven votes.

“This is nothing for me, and it was done through secret balloting,” said Kok when pointed out that she won the chairmanship by a majority of only one vote.

Teng, however, was made vice-chairman along with incumbent Charles Santiago, who is also the Klang MP.

Ng Suee Lim, one of four Teng allies in the committee, was made assistant secretary.

“That is why all these years I have been pushing for direct election. Today we can see there is a need for it,” said Teng who had earlier obtained more votes compared to Kok in the state committee election.

Teng pointed out that he successfully pushed for direct election of office bearers in the DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) when he was leading the wing.

Meanwhile no decision has been made whether to co-opt defeated Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu.

“We did not co-opt additional members in the past. It has always been 15 committee members,” said Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua who retained his post as the state deputy chairman.

Former state chairman Ean Yong Hian Wah was elected secretary, while Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San was made the organising secretary.

Teratai assemblyman Jenice Lee, who earlier won the highest votes in the committee election, was appointed publicity secretary.

Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh, retained her post as the treasurer.

Today’s state party election has been the most divisive for the Selangor DAP as it came just months after the sacking of influential grassroots leader Tee Boon Hock.

Tee was then an MPK councillor and also a member of the local authority’s tender board when he allegedly signed a support letter for his son’s company to obtain a contract.

Liu was also implicated in the scandal but successfully distanced himself and became the target of Tee’s supporters’ campaign in the state party election.

Tee then mobilised his supporters to back Teng, with a campaign message that the state government of which DAP is part of has alienated party grassroots in decision making process.

- Malaysian Insider