Sim Plays Down Talks Of Factions Says Dap Is United

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Penang DAP chief Steven Sim speaking to reporters at a Pakatan Harapan breaking-fast event today. (Amir Irsyad Omar pic)
GEORGE TOWN: Penang DAP chief Steven Sim has dismissed talk of factionalism within the party following its recent national leadership elections, and maintained that the party remains united and mature.
“There are no enemies in DAP. All of us are comrades, all of us are party members, all of us are one family,” he told reporters after a breaking-fast event hosted by Penang Pakatan Harapan here.
Sim said the new lineup saw Penang leaders entrusted with key national positions, including himself and Ramkarpal Singh as deputy secretaries-general, and Kasthuri Patto as international secretary.
A former Penang DAP leader, P Ramasamy, had claimed on Wednesday that Gobind Singh Deo’s success in the elections last weekend was part of a “calculated political manoeuvre” and trap set by a rival faction led by secretary-general Loke Siew Fook and deputy chairman Nga Kor Ming.
Gobind was seen to be an ally of former chairman Lim Guan Eng, who finished in 26th place among the 30 elected to the central executive committee. Gobind succeeded Lim as party chairman.
At tonight’s event, Sim paid tribute to Lim, a former chief minister of Penang, calling him a leader who laid the foundation for the state’s transformation based on the principles of competency, accountability, and transparency.
He said current chief minister Chow Kon Yeow was continuing Lim’s legacy, particularly through infrastructure projects and new economic initiatives.
Chow, who was also present at the event, called on PH and unity government parties to show a good example by handling race and religious issues carefully. - FMT

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