Loke The Biggest Winner In Dap Polls Says Analyst

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DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook and new chairman Gobind Singh Deo clasping hands after the CEC elections. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook has emerged as the biggest winner in the party’s elections today, as his push for a third-generation leadership has paid off, according to an analyst.
James Chin of the University of Tasmania said Loke has managed to introduce a younger and more diverse central executive committee (CEC), while his predecessor, Lim Guan Eng, suffered a major setback with many of his allies failing to secure top positions.
Chin said that with Guan Eng’s core supporters, including sister Lim Hui Ying, losing out, the former party chairman’s influence was waning.
“He is the biggest loser of the night,” the political analyst told FMT.
“The campaign against the Lim family has worked remarkably well. You can see that his sister and core supporters did not win.”
Guan Eng was re-elected to DAP’s top leadership despite a sustained campaign to boot him from the central committee.
However, the DAP veteran and former finance minister only finished 26th out of the top 30, garnering 1,719 votes.
The CEC later appointed him as adviser while Gobind Singh Deo, who topped the polls, took over from him as DAP chairman.
Chin said the outcome of the CEC elections saw slightly better diversity, citing the Malays and East Malaysians elected to the top leadership.
Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan and Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman secured enough votes to make it the first time that two Malay leaders were elected to the party leadership.
Meanwhile, the CEC has four East Malaysian representatives – Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen, Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin, Sandakan MP Vivian Wong, and Lanang MP Alice Lau.
There was a distinct absence of Bumiputera East Malaysians in the CEC, however, after Mas Gading MP Mordi Bimol failed to defend his spot, and Kapayan assemblyman Jannie Lasimbang opted not to contest.
Neutrality helped Gobind top polls
Chin said digital minister and Damansara MP Gobind Singh Deo was another big winner, having garnered the most number of votes with 2,785.
“It’s clear that people want to show DAP can still reach out to the Indian community. His father (the late Karpal Singh) was chairman before this, and Gobind’s strong showing sends a signal from the delegates,” he said.
Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said Gobind’s popularity stemmed from his apparent neutral stance amid internal bickering in DAP, which made him a natural choice for the delegates.
“Gobind does not belong to any camp, that is the main reason why he got the highest number of votes. The delegates were comfortable voting for him,” Azmi said.
He said the election results are expected to strengthen DAP’s relationship with Umno, with Loke remaining as secretary-general.
Unlike Guan Eng, who is known for his aggressive stance towards Umno, Loke was perceived as more diplomatic and likely to ensure political stability within the unity government.
“With Loke still there, he can talk to Umno in a more gentlemanly manner. Guan Eng, on the other hand, is more outright, more brutal, and more raw in his opinion of Umno,” he said. - FMT

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