DAP deputy chairman Gobind Singh Deo's political career is far from over despite losing in the Selangor DAP party election yesterday.
Admitting that the outcome was a shocker, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook said Gobind will continue to perform his duties as the party deputy chairman and on the same token, the lawyer is the highest-ranking DAP official in the national unity cabinet.
Gobind, the Damansara MP, returned last year to head the Digital Ministry after he had earlier opted out because he wanted to focus on his job as the lead defence counsel for party chairman Lim Guan Eng, who is facing a few counts of corruption with relation to the proposed Penang's undersea tunnel project.
The new chairperson in Selangor DAP is Kinrara assemblyman Ng Sze Han.
Puchong MP Yeoh Bee Hin, a former Science and Environmental Minister, secured first place out of some 40 candidates vying for the 15 slots in Selangor.
Loke rationalised that Gobind’s loss in the state party elections yesterday was “normal” and part of the democratic process.
Loke said Gobind, who served as the Selangor DAP chairman for the 2021 - 2024 term, was gracious in his defeat and respected the wishes of the delegates.
"It was indeed a shock defeat. (However) he continues to play an important role as deputy chairman of the party at the national level.
“I thank Gobind for his contributions to Selangor DAP all these years. His defeat does not mean that he needs to step aside, definitely not,” he told a press conference after an event here.
Gobind not aligned to party warloads?
Earlier today, former Penang Deputy Chief Minister P Ramasamy suggested that Gobind’s loss was likely due to his “non-alignment” with the party’s “warlords”.
Ramasamy contrasted Gobind’s defeat with Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong’s rise to become Penang DAP chairman in September.
He also argued that DAP was predominantly a party for the Chinese, underlining that powerful “warlords” control access for non-Chinese leaders, which in effect limits their rise despite their talent. - The Vibes, November 11, 2024.
