GEORGE TOWN: Human Resources Minister Steven Sim has been appointed as the new state DAP chairman for the 2024-2027 term, replacing Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
He polled 1,237 votes at today's state party elections, slightly behind Bukit Gelugor member of Parliament Ramkarpal Singh Deo with 1,247 votes.
Ramkarpal, who polled the highest vote, has been appointed as the deputy chairman.
Chow, who led the state DAP for the past 25 years, had decided to stay out of the state party polls.
Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying, who came in 12th place at today's state party elections after receiving 827 votes, was retained as the Penang DAP secretary.
Sim and Lim have been tipped to replace Chow after he announced his decision not to contest in today's state elections.
Announcing the new line-up, Sim described his team as the 'unity team' to steer the party and the state forward.
"With the end of the state party elections, it is time for us to close ranks and work together as a unity team.
"We will hit the ground running and get to work immediately," he said.
Sim also paid tribute to Chow for his services and sacrifices to the party.
He was later asked if he was looking forward to being the next chief minister.
"We focus on working on the ground, making sure that we win the next state elections first," he said.
Pressed further that by convention he was the chief minister-designate if DAP wins the next election, Sim replied: "All that can be discussed later. We focus on working on the ground first," he added.
Meanwhile, Ramkarpal said it was a pleasant surprise for him to come out top in the state party elections today.
"I want to thank all the delegates for their support. In return, I will work hard for the party and the people," he told reporters.
As for Lim, she said she respected the delegates' choice when asked on her dismal showing in today's state election, in which, she finished in 12th place compared to fourth place previously.
"I am still the state secretary," she said.
A total of 31 delegates contested for the top 15 elected slots in the party.
A total of 1,452 ballot papers were received with 85 spoilt votes. Besides the Top 15 in the state committee, five people were also co-opted.
New line-up of the Penang DAP committee:
Chairman: Steven Sim Chee Keong
Deputy chairman: Ramkarpal Singh
Vice-chairmen: Zairil Khir Johari and Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin
Secretary: Lim Hui Ying
Assistant secretary: H'ng Mooi Lye
Treasurer: Teh Lai Heng
Assistant treasurer: Lay Hock Peng
Organising secretary: Phee Boon Chee
Assistant organising secretaries: Lee Wei Seang and Lim Siew Khim
Publicity secretary: Joshua Woo Sze Zeng
Assistant publicity secretary: Datuk Soon Lip Chee
Political education bureau director: Daniel Gooi Zi Sen
Committee members: RSN Rayer, Phee Syn Tze, Ooi Yong Wooi, Teh Chuann Yien, Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo and Foo Yu Keong