DAP CEC ELECTION RESULTS A SIGN OF REJUVENATION - ANALYST

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- The results of the DAP central executive committee (CEC) election yesterday is a sign of the party’s rejuvenation, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) senior political science lecturer Dr Jamaie Hamil said.

He pointed out that it indicated that party delegates have placed their trust in the next generation of leaders to lead the party.

“We hope other parties will follow DAP’s example and give the opportunity to younger leaders to lead. It’s time that Malaysia’s political parties, doesn’t matter which party, allow young leaders to hold vital party positions.

“Till when will the old hang on to their posts? The results of DAP’s election shows that young leaders are given their shot,” he told Bernama here today.

He also said that it was unsurprising that Damansara MP Gobind Singh Deo garnered the highest votes and was subsequently elected National Chairman, replacing Lim Guan Eng, as he had his own style and charisma and described Lim’s election as DAP advisor as a very relevant move.

“He (Guan Eng) isn’t a small fry in DAP, he has been in this for 30 years. So I see his position as the advisor as most suited and relevant as he was the one who envisioned what DAP could become when it wasn’t mainstream,” he said.

Meanwhile, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Social Sciences political sociology lecturer Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said DAP’s election results showed that the delegates were strategic in the way they voted.

“This election can be considered quite extraordinary, but actually DAP has made plans to move forward with changes in the party, maybe this is their planning towards the 16th general election that needs to be held in two years’ time,” he said, adding that Gobind’s election as National Chairman could be seen as a move to ensure there was no split in the party.

-- BERNAMA