MEDIA STATEMENT BY PROF DR P.RAMASAMY,
CHAIRMAN, URIMAI PARTY
Penang CM Chow might be replaced sooner than later
When the Penang Chief Chow Kon Yeow decided not to contest the Penang DAP state elections, it was clear that something was amiss in the party. Although it was Chow’s decision not to contest, but it is not sure whether he alone was responsible for the decision.
In other words, he could have been cornered into making the decision not to contest. Perhaps, the DAP wanted somebody else to contest and be made the state chairperson and then the chief minister.
The silver lining that he will continue in the present position of chief minister of Penang was just to gloss over the deep divisions in the party. The coming DAP state elections in Penang present a perfect opportunity for the manifestation of factional politics in the party.
I wonder how long Chow will last as the chief minister of Penang as the writings on the walls suggest that he could relinquish his post as soon as possible.
Being the DAP vice-chairman is not just sufficient to hold the chief minister’s position, although there is no party stipulation that he must hold the state chairmanship. For now, there is nothing to guarantee that Chow will last for the remainder of the full term in office.
Meanwhile, the DAP secretary general Loke Siew Fook has come out with a suggestion that Human Resources Minister Steven Sim should be ideally appointed as the chairman of the Penang DAP.
This is the first time the top official of the party trying to influence the outcome of the DAP state elections in Penang. There is nothing spectacular of Sim other than him speaking good Malay and having amicable ties with leaders in PH-led coalition.
I am surprised that the Loke as the top leader of the DAP would seek to influence the DAP delegates in voting for Sim. The very fact that a top leader of a party that boasts of being“democratic” would make an undemocratic proposal seems mind boggling.
Loke should respect the dignity and independence of the DAP delegates in Penang. Other than being undemocratic, Loke’s preference for Sim suggests that there are deep political fissures in the party. It is plainly obvious that Loke has taken side with a political faction in Penang not aligned to the dominant faction.
Loke wants to prevent the possibility of another DAP leader from the dominant faction getting the majority of the votes and be appointed as the state DAP chairperson.
However, given the factionalism in the Penang DAP, Sim despite his proficiency in Malay might not have the support of the delegates who might throw their support behind Lim Hui Ling, the present DAP state secretary and deputy minister.
There is possibility that if Lim gets the highest votes in the state party elections, she might be appointed as the state chairperson.
Following this, there might be possibility of a by-election in the state so that she could become the chief minister of Penang. This is not a wild speculation but something talked about in the DAP circles.
In other words, there is possibility that Lim could replace Chow sooner than later. I further understand that she has the majority support among the DAP delegates in Penang
Let us wait and see how factionalism and primordial political alignments are threatening to destroy the DAP that once stood for democracy, justice and multiracial politics.
