GEORGE TOWN, Sept 22 — Outgoing Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow reminded its delegates to prioritise the interests of the party and the public ahead of internal elections today.
He said the delegates will be voting for the future of the party to stay relevant and to continue to lead the Penang government.
“As I hand over the leadership baton today, I want to urge all of us to put the interests of the party and the people above our own interests,” he said in what will be his last speech as the state DAP chairman at the state convention here this morning.
He said DAP has achieved much and that its members must continue to serve with dedication.
“We must be guided by the party vision and mission and respect the people,” he said.
“Do not take things for granted and stay true to the party’s struggle,” he added.
Chow has served as Penang DAP chairman for 25 years; before that, he was its secretary for eight years.
“I am glad to hand over a party that I believe is much better today than 25 years ago,” he said.
He recalled being 41 years old when he was given the responsibility to head DAP’s political struggle as an Opposition party, adding that it was “most challenging to keep the fighting spirit alive then”.
He said winning Election 2008 proved to be a watershed moment for the party, as membership and its branches exploded, from 20 to almost 300 presently.
He said that under DAP, Penang has continued to achieve impressive results as the top state for foreign direct investments, becoming an “economic powerhouse of the country” despite ongoing global challenges and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chow, who is also Penang chief minister, said the state is continuing to develop infrastructure-wise, and hopes the next phase will focus on improving the family and environmental sustainability to a level that can inspire the rest of the country.
Penang DAP delegates will be electing a new state committee at its convention on September 22, 2024. — Pictures by Opalyn Mok
Penang DAP election: Who’s running and who is not
A total 1,466 delegates will be voting in a new Penang DAP leadership committee for the 2024/2027 term today, including for the state chairman post.
By custom, the state DAP chairman is appointed chief minister if the party wins the state election.
There are 31 candidates for 15 spots in the state party committee.
Among those nominated to contest are Human Resources Minister Steven Sim and Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying.
DAP has 19 assemblymen, but six are sitting out the state party polls this time.
Apart from Chow, the others not contesting are: national DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng, Seri Delima assemblyman Tan Hooi Peng and Bagan Jermal assemblyman Chee Yeeh Keen.
The 13 assemblymen who are contesting are: Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Syn Tze, K. Kumaran (Bagan Dalam), Heng Lee Lee (Berapit), Gooi Zi Sen (Padang Lalang), H’ng Mooi Lye (Jawi), Zairil Khir Johari (Tanjung Bungah), Woo Sze Zeng (Pulau Tikus), Teh Lai Heng (Komtar), Jagdeep Singh Deo (Datuk Keramat), Lim Siew Khim (Sungai Pinang), Ong Ah Teong (Batu Lanchang), Joseph Ng Soon Siang (Air Itam) and Wong Hon Wai (Paya Terubong).
There are seven DAP MPs in Penang, including Chow, and four who will be contesting.
They are: Sim (Bukit Mertajam), Hui Ying (Tanjong), RSN Rayer (Jelutong) and Ramkarpal Singh (Bukit Gelugor).
The three MPs sitting out the race this are Chow (Batu Kawan), Guan Eng (Bagan) and Syerleena Abdul Rashid (Bukit Bendera).
Other former lawmakers who have thrown their hats in the ring are: Phee Boon Chee, who is the uncle of Phee Syn Tze; Datuk Seri Chong Eng, Datuk Soon Lip Chee and Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin who are all former state executive council members.
