On Feb 4, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim visited Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) to hand over a government allocation.
A potential seating issue at the event was narrowly avoided thanks to a gracious gesture by Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
Loke, the DAP secretary-general, offered to move his and his colleagues' seats back by one row. This allowed the hosts - TAR UMT president Lee Sze Wei and board chairperson Chan Kong Choy, a former MCA deputy president - to sit in the front row alongside the prime minister.
While that scramble for seating was resolved with elegance, a far more serious fight for position is brewing elsewhere. Penang DAP is embroiled in an internal tussle over a local councillor appointment, which has become a proxy battlefield for rival factions.
On the surface, the turmoil was triggered by the removal of Seberang Perai city councillor David Ng. However, at a deeper level, it appears to be a continuation of the simmering power struggle between former chief minister Lim Guan Eng and Penang DAP chief Steven Sim.
It also carries the undertones of an early skirmish over the control of candidate selections for the upcoming national and state elections in Penang.
If mishandled, the rivalry between the two camps may not stop at a single city council seat. It could potentially shake the political foundation that has kept DAP in power in Penang for nearly two decades.
Disputes over councillor selection
The controversy began on Feb 7 when Lim publicly spoke up for Ng, praising his dedication and service performance while questioning why he was not reappointed. Lim revealed that he had written to the Penang DAP state committee seeking an explanation.
Two days later, Sim responded, saying that the list of city councillors had been approved collectively by the state committee. In a media interview, he also disclosed that Lim had already contacted him about the matter via WhatsApp back in December.
"I explained that this is the party's procedure, and we act accordingly. Anyone appointed will certainly work hard to serve. If one is not given a position, one can still serve through other channels," Sim said.
On Feb 11, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow issued a statement, stressing that the state government had followed proper legal procedures and formal nominations in appointing city councillors.
According to Chow, Penang DAP had submitted its nomination list via state secretary Lim Hui Ying on Dec 15, and Ng's name was not included. The state executive council subsequently approved the list on Dec 17.
Chow also dismissed Lim's claim that Ng's name had been "deleted by the chief minister" as baseless, warning that such remarks could mislead the public and generate dissatisfaction toward the chief minister.
On Feb 12, Lim hit back. He clarified that he mentioned the chief minister in his original speech because, legally, only the chief minister has the authority to appoint city councillors - but in reality, it was Sim who refused to re-nominate Ng.
"Ng informed me that he holds no negative perceptions or dissatisfaction toward the chief minister, as he understands the decision to drop his name came from the Sim, representing the Penang DAP state committee, and not from the chief minister."
More pointedly, Lim added that "the chief minister merely acted as a rubber stamp to endorse Sim's decision to remove Ng".
A deeper power struggle
In truth, this dispute did not arise overnight. Sim was long regarded as a key figure within Lim's camp. However, during the 2024 Penang DAP party polls, Sim broke away, formed his own faction, and successfully won the state chairpersonship.
The two camps have since split. Lim's faction labelled Sim a "traitor", while Sim's camp reportedly launched what was dubbed a "deity send-off" movement during the party's central elections in March last year.
Although Lim retained his position as a member of the central executive committee, he lost the national chairpersonship and was reassigned as an adviser. His allies also suffered heavy defeats.
Following last year's party polls, Loke told Malaysiakini that he hoped Sim could unify Penang DAP within two years.
However, judging by the Ng episode, the road to unity remains fraught with obstacles.
Since Sim became an entrepreneur and cooperatives development minister, Lim has repeatedly raised issues concerning SME Bank - a move seen as a veiled attack on Sim's ministry.
Subtle jabs and public barbs
On Jan 19, Sim posted a photo with Chow on Facebook, praising Chow's leadership style as "prudent and humble", adding that "a great leader doesn't need to resort to insults, expletives, or make a lot of noise".
The next day, Lim posted that "what goes around comes around", adding that they would support those who truly deliver results rather than relying on publicity machines and political packaging.
Though no names were mentioned, the subtext was clear.
Last Wednesday, former Penang DAP secretary Ng Wei Aik posted on Facebook questioning Sim's background, claiming that "no one in the party knows his past", and insinuating that Sim only joined after the 2008 general election when the party first tasted power.
This prompted DAP national organising secretary Khoo Poay Tiong to release Sim's party membership details to refute Ng and set the record straight.
After several days of escalating exchanges, former DAP central committee member Teng Chang Khim posted a warning on Facebook.
"To kick up such a massive fuss over a minor post, the future of the Penang state government looks in jeopardy. It seems the chief minister and the party state chief need to consider the bigger picture - sacrifice one person and 'return' the position to 'Tokong'!" wrote Teng, referring to Lim's infamous moniker.
Though tongue-in-cheek, his remark underscored a serious point: if a city councillor's post can spark factional warfare, negotiations over candidates in the coming state and general elections are likely to be far more intense.
Lessons from Gerakan
A senior DAP central leader told Malaysiakini that while the issue would have some impact, it was unlikely to escalate into a contest for the chief minister's post or result in the loss of Penang.
Another grassroots leader said that when elections approach, party members are likely to set aside factional disputes for the greater good.
However, the question of succession in Penang is now unavoidable.
In the 2008 general election, Gerakan lost Penang amid indecision over the chief minister's successor. Since then, the once-glorious multiracial party has never truly recovered.
With Chow now serving his final term, succession planning has already begun. Political observers widely expect Sim to contest a state seat in the next election to pave the way for a chief ministerial bid.
But before the state assembly is dissolved, the question remains: can Sim truly unite Penang DAP? - Mkini
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