2022 Democratic Action Party National Congress

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2022 Democratic Action Party National Convention
Convention
Date(s)20 March 2022 [note 1]
City Shah Alam, Selangor
VenueIDCC Ideal Convention Centre
Chair Chiew Chiu Sing
Keynote speaker Lim Guan Eng
Notable speakers
Voting
Total delegates4,149 [1]

The 2022 Democratic Action Party National Congress was a central executive committee (CEC) electing congress that was held on 20 March 2022, at the IDCC Ideal Convention Centre in Shah Alam, Selangor. At the congress, delegates of the Malaysian Democratic Action Party (DAP) formally chose former transport minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook and former finance minister Lim Guan Eng as the party's secretary-general and national chairman, respectively, for the term 2021–2024. [2]

Contents

Originally scheduled to be held 20 December 2020, simultaneously at Shah Alam, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching, the congress was twice postponed, first to 20 June 2021, then again to 20 March 2022, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in Malaysia. [3] [4]

Background

The congress was the 17th DAP National Congress. There was heightened public attention to this congress edition as it will see the DAP elect a new secretary-general with the outgoing Lim Guan Eng having served the maximum three terms provided by the party constitution. [1] [5] [6]

Selection of delegates

The DAP's constitution provides for every party branch with at least 25 members to send 2 delegates as their representative. [7] An additional delegate is allowed for branches with membership exceeding 50 and for branches exceeding 100 members, an incremental addition is allowed for every additional 100 paid up members. All of DAP's elected representatives, Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), alongside other incumbent CEC members are also entitled to attend the congress as delegates. Clause VIII Section 14 allows every delegate to vote for 30 members each to fill the CEC for the upcoming term. [7]

At present, the northwestern states of Penang and Perak consists of the most branches and members, and thus, sends the highest number of delegates. [8]

Logistics

Delay

The congress was originally scheduled to be held 20 December 2020. [3]

On 21 January 2022, it was announced that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the congress would again be delayed to 20 March 2022. [9] Then-national organising secretary Anthony Loke announced that this decision was made by the party CEC in line with the advice given by Malaysia's Registrar of Societies (RoS) that the party should hold its triennial congress before 31 March 2022.

Health protocols

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a number of protocols have been put in place.

Participants at IDCC Ideal Convention Centre were required to wear personal protective equipment, undergo daily COVID-19 testing, and follow National Security Council (NSC) guidelines, and health ministry (MOH) standard operating procedures (SOPs). [10]

Congress leadership

Officers

Former Tanjong Batu MLA Chiew Chiu Sing served as the chair of the congress. [11] The deputy chairs of the congress were Nilai MLA Arul Kumar Jambunathan and Seri Delima MLA Syerleena Abdul Rashid. [11]

The congress' returning officer was John Lau Tiang Hua. [12]

Nominating and voting

Central Executive Committee voting

Vote

The table below reflects the delegate votes. [note 2] [13] Voting results were audited and confirmed by Grant Thornton Malaysia PLT. [2] A total of 93 candidates vied for 30 positions in the CEC. [14]

Clause VIII Section 16 of the DAP's constitution state that a thirty per cent quota (30%) of the CEC is reserved for female members translating to at least nine members. [7]

Co-opted into Central Executive Committee
Elected into the Central Executive Committee
No.CandidateVotesRankPosition/notability
21 Gobind Singh Deo 1,7821
14 Chow Kon Yeow 1,6412
42 Anthony Loke Siew Fook 1,6253
  • 15th Transport Minister of Malaysia
  • MP for Seremban
  • MLA for Chennah
  • National Organising Secretary of Democratic Action Party
  • 2nd Parliamentary Leader of Democratic Action Party
  • Chairman of Democratic Action Party, Negeri Sembilan
79 Teresa Kok Suh Sim 1,3734
91 Hannah Yeoh Tseow Suan 1,3465
19 Fong Kui Lun 1,3416
  • MP for Bukit Bintang
  • National Treasurer of Democratic Action Party
  • Deputy Chairman of Democratic Action Party, Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory
61 Steven Sim Chee Keong 1,3407
37 Lim Guan Eng 1,3118
50 Ng Sze Han 1,2829
49 Ng Suee Lim 1,27910
69 Tan Kok Wai 1,26311
52 Nga Kor Ming 1,26212
43 Kulasegaran Murugeson 1,22613
40 Lim Lip Eng 1,15614
38 Lim Hui Ying 1,15515
11 Chong Chieng Jen 1,15416
  • MP for Stampin
  • MLA for Padungan
  • National Vice-Chairman of Democratic Action Party
  • Chairman of Democratic Action Party, Sarawak
03 Alice Lau Kiong Yieng 1,11917
  • MP for Lanang
  • Deputy Chairman of Democratic Action Party, Sarawak
08 Chan Foong Hin 1,10118
77 Teo Nie Ching 1,07119
  • MP for Kulai
  • International Secretary of Democratic Action Party
  • Deputy Chairman of Democratic Action Party, Johor
41 Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew 1,07020
  • MLA for Sungai Pelek
  • Central Executive Committee Member of Democratic Action Party
86 Wong Kah Woh 1,06921
  • MP for Ipoh Timor
  • Central Executive Committee Member of Democratic Action Party
35 Liew Chin Tong 1,00822
  • MLA for Perling
  • National Director of Political Education of Democratic Action Party
  • Chairman of Democratic Action Party, Johor
68 Tan Hong Pin 99223
92 Young Syefura Othman 99124
27 Kasthuriraani Patto 97825
76 Teo Kok Seong 97626
66 Thomas Su Keong Siong 95327
  • MP for Kampar
  • Assistant National Organising Secretary of Democratic Action Party
89 Vincent Wu Him Ven 95028
29 Khoo Poay Tiong 94029
  • MP for Kota Melaka
  • Assistant National Organising Secretary of Democratic Action Party
88 Wong Shu Qi 93930
70 Tan Kok Yew 91431
  • MLA for Derga
  • Chairman of Democratic Action Party, Kedah
55 P. Ramasamy Palanisamy 91132
80 Tey Kok Kiew 90333
53 Ngeh Koo Ham 88234
  • MP for Beruas
  • Assistant National Treasurer of Democratic Action Party
23 Jannie Lasimbang 87735
  • MLA for Kapayan
  • Central Executive Committee Member of Democratic Action Party
63 Sivakumar Varatharaju Naidu 85836
  • MP for Batu Gajah
  • Deputy Secretary-General of Democratic Action Party
90 Yeo Bee Yin 85737
30 Lee Chin Chin 85338
31 Howard Lee Chuan How 83339
12 Chong Eng 79340
20 Ganabatirau Veraman 75841
56 Tony Pua Kiam Wee 75642
  • MP for Damansara
  • National Publicity Secretary of Democratic Action Party
59 Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer Rajaji 72543
93 Zairil Khir Johari 66244
01 Abdul Aziz Bari 64845
18 Ean Yong Hian Wah 60746
  • MLA for Seri Kembangan
  • Deputy Chairman of Democratic Action Party, Selangor
15 Chow Yu Hui 56647
87 Wong May Ing 54648
75 Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji 54249
  • MP for Raub
  • National Vice-Chairman of Democratic Action Party
54 Ong Kian Ming 53550
  • MP for Bangi
  • Assistant National Director of Political Education of Democratic Action Party
36 Lim Eng Guan 52651
57 Ramkarpal Singh Karpal Singh 49752
25 Kalidas Komarawelo 43153
67 Syahredzan Johan 42854
28 Kerk Chee Yee 38855
64 Sivanesan Achalingam 38256
13 Chong Zhemin 36457
71 Nicole Tan Lee Koon 35258
09 Charles Anthony Santiago 33659
22 Heng Lee Lee 33260
81 Tiew Way Keng 32261
60 Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali 29162
45 Mary Josephine Pritam Singh 26463
51 Ng Wei Aik 26264
74 Eric Teh Hoong Keat 26165
73 Tee Boon Hock 23166
85 Wan Hamidi Hamid 22667
10 Chew Chong Sin 22368
26 Kamache A. Doray Rajoo 22069
32 Leow Thye Yih 20870
16 David Marshel Pakianathan 17671
04 Apalasamy Jataliah 16072
44 Manogaran Marimuthu 13073
  • Deputy Chairman of Democratic Action Party, Pahang
34 Liew Ah Kim 12274
17 Diccam Lourdes Lourdhusamy 11775
02 Abdul Aziz Isa Marindo 11676
84 Veerapan Superamaniam 11377
48 Mordi Bimol 11278
24 Jason Raj Kirupanantha 8979
33 Lew Chee Kwan 8980
78 Teoh Boon Kok 8781
62 Sinasamy Subramaniam 7282
72 Eric Tan Pok Shyong 7183
47 Mohan Ramasamy 6884
65 Soh Mei Lin 6385
58 Ravi Apalasamy 6186
82 Utaya Kumar Suppaya 6087
83 Valluvan Alagan 5388
46 Mohammad Basar Umar 3689
0590
0691
0792
39 Lim Kit Siang Withdrew93
  • 8-term former and longest-serving Leader of the Opposition of Malaysia
  • MP for Iskandar Puteri
  • 11-term MP
  • 4-term former MLA
  • 1st Parliamentary Leader of Democratic Action Party
  • 2nd National Chairman of Democratic Action Party
  • 3rd Secretary-General of Democratic Action Party

Leadership

Party leadership changes following 2022 congress
PositionOutgoingSuccessorCite
National Chairman Tan Kok Wai Lim Guan Eng [15] [16]
National Deputy Chairman Gobind Singh Deo [15] [16]
National Vice-Chairmen
[15] [16]
Secretary-GeneralLim Guan Eng Anthony Loke Siew Fook [15] [16]
Deputy Secretaries-General
  • Liew Chin Tong
  • Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji (co-opted)
  • Sivakumar Varatharaju Naidu (co-opted)
[15] [16]
National Treasurer
  • Assistant Treasurer
Fong Kui Lun
Fong Kui Lun
[15] [16]
National Organising Secretary
  • Assistant Secretaries
Anthony Loke Siew Fook
Steven Sim Chee Keong
[15] [16]
National Publicity Secretary
  • Assistant Secretaries
Tony Pua Kiam Wee
Teo Nie Ching
[15] [16]
International Secretary
  • Assistant Secretary
Teo Nie Ching
  • None
Jannie Lasimbang
[15] [16]
National Director of Political Education
  • Assistant Director
Liew Chin Tong
Wong Kah Woh
[15] [16]
Committee Members
[15] [16]
Parliamentary Leader Lim Kit Siang Nga Kor Ming [15] [16]

Notable speeches

Tan Kok Wai

DAP sentiasa memperingati perjuangan and pengorbanan pemimpin generasi terdahulu dan pada masa yang sama, terus memberikan ruang kepada generasi yang baru untuk memacu kemajuan parti untuk bergerak ke hadapan. Inilah punca utama kekuatan kita.

Tan Kok Wai at the 2022 Democratic Action Party National Congress [11]

Tan Kok Wai, as incumbent national chairman of the DAP, delivered his speech first to open the congress as per Clause IX Section 3 of the party constitution. [7]

Tan's speech was focused on both the importance of a mature political culture whilst championing women's rights and anti-corruption. He discussed how the party is empowering women and standing by one of its core principle of equal rights for all races. He touted the DAP's stance on not cooperating with the "perasuah, pengkhianat, penyangak, dan juga katak politik" (corrupt, traitors, rogues, and also "political frogs").

Tan also recounted the personal disappointment of the collapse of the elected government in the aftermath of the 2020 Malaysian political crisis in the hands of the "rejim yang korup" (corrupt regime) who have since shown a lack of capability in administering the nation. [11]

Lim Guan Eng

Lim Guan Eng (cropped).jpg

Malaysia dimiliki oleh semua rakyat, tanpa kira umur, jantina, kaum, agama, dan latar belakang. Tidak kira dari Semenanjung Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak, ataupun sama ada mereka berbangsa Melayu, Cina, India, Orang Asli, Kadazandusun Murut, ataupun Iban Dayak. Tidak sepatutnya berlaku diskrimasi ataupun peminggiran dalam aspek politik, sosial dan ekonomi. Semua rakyat Malaysia seharusnya dopat tempat bersama di bawah naungan negara Malaysia.

Lim Guan Eng at the 2022 Democratic Action Party National Congress [11]

Lim Guan Eng, the fifth and outgoing secretary-general of the DAP, delivered his speech following the conclusion of Tan's speech.

Lim's speech was focused on secularism and equal rights for all citizens. He discussed how extremism and corruption even during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic had impacted the economy and led to "various threats". He touted the DAP's success, under his stewardship, in transforming Penang into a leading state in Malaysia within ten years and the regret that they were not accorded the same luxury to do the same for the country as a whole.

Lim also recounted the DAP's past resilience from when he first took office as party secretary-general in September 2004 in its dream to create a better country for all Malaysians in the face of multiple recent state election defeats. [11]

Lim Kit Siang

Lim Kit Siang cropped.jpg

为实现马来西亚萌的斗争,我们必须。。。,而这个事业就交给你们了。谢谢各位。

Lim Kit Siang at the 2022 Democratic Action Party National Congress [11]

Lim Kit Siang, the senior member of the DAP, was given an opportunity to give a speech after his son, Guan Eng, announced the elder Lim's retirement from active politics after fifty-six years. [17] In that span, Lim was party secretary-general for thirty years and subsequently became the longest-serving Malaysian Parliamentary Opposition Leader during part of his eleven terms as MP.

Lim's speech was focused on the party's struggle and mission. He urged the party members to continue fighting in line with the party's vision and hope for the country. [11]

Aftermath

Following Lim Kit Siang's decision to retire from active politics, he was given the figurehead position as party mentor whilst outgoing national chairman Tan Kok Wai was named advisor. [16] Rais Yatim, 18th President of the Dewan Negara, remarked that the government should pay tribute to Lim having served over half a century in the nation's political arena. [18]

After news broke that both Lim and Anwar Ibrahim, who was in attendance as People's Justice Party (PKR) president, tested positive for COVID-19, convicted former prime minister Najib Razak remarked on his personal Facebook page why Lim was not fined for hugging attendees. [19] This triggered a response by health minister Khairy Jamaluddin, also on Facebook, that Lim has indeed been issued a RM1,000 compound but also questioned as to why Najib himself has yet to pay an outstanding four fines himself and that his officers has refused to accept them. [20] [21]

In the aftermath of the vote, Damansara MP and former corporate man Tony Pua Kiam Wee, who was a key figure in exposing the 1MDB scandal and also pro bono political secretary to Lim Guan Eng during his tenure as finance minister, expressed his surprise in not retaining a position in the CEC despite the number of positions being increased from twenty to thirty. [22] Newly-minted secretary-general Loke seemingly reassured Pua the following day, calling the latter a "very important asset" to the party. [23]

On 23 March 2022, Dr. Boo Cheng Hau, former chairman of the DAP's Johor chapter, called for Lim to step down as party chairman until all of Lim's corruption cases have been resolved in court. [24] [25] Chow Kon Yeow, DAP national vice-chairman and Lim's successor as Penang chief minister, responded on 26 March 2022 that the party will not make any changes to Lim's position until the court has delivered its verdict on the latter's outstanding cases. [26]

See also

Notes

    1. Originally scheduled to be held 20 December 2020, but rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
    2. Information of and votes received by candidates 05 through to 07 are missing due to a technical issue with the results video.

    References

    1. 1 2 Abdul Aziz, Nur Ashikin (19 March 2022). "DAP to elect new Central Executive Committee line-up, Guan Eng's successor ahead of GE15". The Edge (Malaysia) . Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
    2. 1 2 Hasnan, Harits Asyraf (20 March 2022). "CEC DAP: Gobind raih undi tertinggi, beberapa nama besar tewas". Astro Awani (in Malay). Retrieved 22 March 2022.
    3. 1 2 "Report: Selangor DAP convention, national congress expected to be postponed due to MCO". The Star (Malaysia) . 17 May 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
    4. Tee, Kenneth (16 June 2021). "Loke: DAP National Congress, slated for June 20, postponed indefinitely, new dates only after MCO 3.0 is lifted". Malay Mail . Retrieved 22 March 2022.
    5. "DAP to elect Guan Eng's successor ahead of GE15". New Straits Times . Bernama. 19 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
    6. Muthiah, Wani (19 March 2022). "All eyes on DAP national congress as new sec-gen is expected to be selected". The Star (Malaysia) . Retrieved 22 March 2022.
    7. 1 2 3 4 "Party Constitution". dapmalaysia.org. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
    8. Hutchinson, Francis E.; Zhang, Kevin (7 September 2021). "2021/118 "Malaysia's Democratic Action Party (DAP): Background and Inner Workings" by Francis E. Hutchinson and Kevin Zhang". ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute . Retrieved 22 March 2022.
    9. "DAP National Congress set on March 20 - Loke". The Sun (Malaysia) . Bernama. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
    10. "DAP to hold national congress on March 20, says Anthony Loke". The Star (Malaysia) . 21 January 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
    11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Kongres Kebangsaan Parti Tindakan Demokratik Ke-17". Facebook (in Malay). Democratic Action Party. 20 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
    12. "Gobind, Chow Kon Yeow and Anthony Loke lead top spots in DAP's new CEC line-up as Tony Pua, Kian Ming miss the cut". The Borneo Post . Malay Mail. 20 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
    13. "Keputusan pemilihan Jawatankuasa Tertinggi Pusat DAP". Facebook (in Malay). Democratic Action Party. 20 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
    14. "DAP's Central Executive Committee takes place with 93 candidates vying for 30 seats". Malay Mail . Bernama. 20 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
    15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Mat Ruzki, Rafidah; Patho Rohman, Mohd Anwar; Hussin, Khairul Azran (12 November 2017). "Tiada perubahan besar kepemimpinan DAP". Berita Harian (in Malay). Retrieved 21 March 2022.
    16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Tong, Geraldine (21 March 2022). "Anthony Loke is new DAP sec-gen". Malaysiakini . Retrieved 21 March 2022.
    17. Thomas, Jason (20 March 2022). "After 56 years, Kit Siang quits politics". Free Malaysia Today . Retrieved 22 March 2022.
    18. "Rais: Kit Siang deserves respect and recognition". Malaysiakini . 22 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
    19. "Hugged Kit Siang? Don't come to Parliament, says Najib". Free Malaysia Today . 21 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
    20. Bala Krishnan, Dhesegaan (22 March 2022). "SOP violation compound against Kit Siang triggers spat between Khairy and Najib". New Straits Times . Retrieved 23 March 2022.
    21. "MOH: Najib's officer refused to accept 4 fines". Malaysiakini . 22 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
    22. "Surprised, but no regrets, says Pua after losing CEC seat". Free Malaysia Today . 21 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
    23. "Loke deems Pua 'important asset' to DAP despite snub from delegates". Malaysiakini . 23 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
    24. Tan, Ben (23 March 2022). "Johor DAP's Dr Boo calls for Guan Eng to resign from party's national chairman's post". Malay Mail . Retrieved 27 March 2022.
    25. "It's nothing personal, says Boo on call for Guan Eng to quit". Free Malaysia Today . 24 March 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
    26. "DAP to decide Guan Eng's fate in party only after court verdict, says veep". The Borneo Post . Malay Mail. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.