Sabah DAP boss defeated in party polls

By Luke Rintod

KOTA KINABALU: Incumbent Sabah DAP state chairman, Dr Hiew King Cheu, lost his state post to Sri Tanjung assemblyman, Jimmy Wong, in a friendly tussle at the party's state convention that ended here today.

Out of the 13 committee members, 12 were present and Wong, who was Hiew's former number two, got the nod from 10 of the 12. Hiew only obtained two votes. The committee members decide among themselves who to elect for state chairman, deputy and two vice-chairmen.

The secret balloting, however, was done only for the post of chairman while the other positions were formalised today after those nominated had won unopposed.

Hiew is a first-term Kota Kinabalu MP. At present, the two are the only lawmakers DAP has in Sabah.

The new deputy chairman is Fred Fung Kong Win, formerly the treasurer, while the two vice- chairmen are Jeffrey Kumin and Henry Mogindol. Former publicity secretary, Dr Edwin Bosi, is the new state secretary.

Meanwhile, Kumin told FMT that the new state committee would meet tonight to consider, among other matters, the new role for Hiew and also to fill up other posts in the state line-up.

The rest of the line-up for 2010 and 2011 are:

Assistant secretary: Junz Wong

Treasurer: Peter Liew Vui Ken

Organising secretary: John Lee Kim Seng

Publicity officer: Chan Fong Hin

DAP national disciplinary committee chairman, Tan Kok Wai, who is Cheras MP, earlier officiated at the one-day convention for about 100 delegates.