GEORGE TOWN: Penang DAP’s party elections delivered stunning results today with both state vice chairmen failing to defend their posts for the 2018-2020 term.
As expected, state DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow scored a resounding win, polling 520 votes and keeping the seat he has held since 1999.
But the failure of P Ramasamy and Zairil Khir Johari to emerge among the top 15 candidates elected today – with just 303 and 328 votes, respectively – came as a major surprise.
Despite the defeat, both men were co-opted by the party and will retain their posts as state vice chairmen for the new term.
Ramasamy was philosophical about his defeat, saying that it is part and parcel of a democracy.
“They voted for their preferred candidates. I respect that,” he said.
However, Zairil appeared bewildered over his defeat, but nevertheless accepted the outcome with stoicism.
“This was a close fight. It is normal… in politics,” he said.
Ramasamy and Zairil were not the only committee members to perform poorly today.
Other shock exits include A. Thansekharan, Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim and Goh Choon Kiong.
However, Lim was co-opted by the committee and will serve in the new term.
Two Members of Parliament – Kasthuri Patto (Batu Kawan) and RSN Rayer (Jelutong) – also failed to make it into the top 15.
However, Rayer was co-opted by committee members.
Those who cracked the top 15 include two sets of siblings: state Local Government and Housing Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo and his brother, Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh Deo, with 468 and 439 votes respectively; and state Welfare Committee chairman Phee Bon Poh and his brother, Phee Boon Chee, who polled 442 and 336 votes, respectively.
Out of 1,086 delegates, 798 attended today’s party elections here.
In his winding-up speech earlier, Chow reminded the party not to become complacent over the weakened position of the opposition in the state following the 14th general election (GE14).
He said that Gerakan may no longer be a threat to the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration after its huge losses in the GE14, which led to it exiting the Barisan Nasional coalition – but DAP must remain on its toes.
“Even though… the opposition does not pose a threat for us, we must be prepared.
“We cannot be relaxed because of our win. They can make a comeback,” he warned.
New line-up of the Penang DAP committee:
Chairman: Chow Kon Yeow
Deputy chairman: Jagdeep Singh Deo
Vice-chairmen: P Ramasamy and Zairil Khir Johari
Secretary: Lim Hui Ying
Assistant secretary: Yeoh Soon Hin
Treasurer: Wong Hon Wai
Assistant treasurer: Danny Law Heng Kiang
Organising secretary: H’ng Mooi Lye
Assistant organising secretaries: Lay Hock Peng and Teh Lai Heng
Publicity secretary: Sim Chee Keong
Assistant publicity secretary: Syerleena Abdul Rashid
Political education bureau director: Soon Lip Chee
Committee members: Phee Bon Poh, Ramkarpal Singh Deo, Ng Wei Aik, Phee Boon Chee, RSN Rayer and Lim Siew Khim