TWO Penang DAP candidates for the March 16 central executive committee (CEC) elections were previously dropped as candidates for the last state election.
In the list of 70 DAP leaders nominated to contest in the CEC elections, three names stood out from Penang.
Penang Port Commission (PPC) chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin, former state executive councillor Soon Lip Chee and Sungai Puyu assemblyperson Phee Syn Tze were among the surprise nominees to the CEC central leadership.
Yeoh and Soon were dropped in the last state election.
While Soon decided to stay on the sidelines, Yeoh now heads PPC and is also the Tourism Malaysia board deputy chairman.
The trio joined heavyweights Lim Guan Eng (DAP chairman), Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (vice-president), Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong and DAP Legal Bureau head Ramkarpal Singh Deo as among those from Penang vying for a CEC position.
Others include Kasthuri Patto, Lim Hui Ying and RSN Rayer, who are also from Penang, and who hold committee positions within the CEC now.
The two Lims, are son and daughter of DAP big brother (Ladao) Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang, Phee is the daughter of Penang DAP strongman Phee Boon Poh, Kasthuri, is the daughter of the late DAP fighter P. Patto and Ramkarpal is the son of the late DAP icon Datuk Seri Karpal Singh.
Ramkarpal's brother is Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, who is being touted as a possible new DAP chairman.
Gobind is slated to contest on the Selangor ticket.
The contest is being billed as one between the younger generation against the old guards of the party.
Many are looking to see how Chow, as the incumbent vice -president would fare after he decided not to seek reelection in the Penang CEC last year, after spearheading the state for the last 25 - years.
It is an open secret that Chow is currently not on the best terms with Guan Eng, his predecessor as chief minister.
Recently, another rift emerged in the state after one of Guan Eng's aides labelled Sim as a "traitor".
Meanwhile Kedah DAP chairman Tan Kok Yew, who lost in the last Kedah state election is also vying for a spot.
Selangor and Perak DAP leaders are expected to also feature in the CEC elections while secretary - general Anthony Loke Siew Fook is expected to consolidate his hold into his second term as the party's defacto leader.
Perak DAP chieftain Nga Kor Ming is a top runner in the CEC elections but it remains to be seen if Guan Eng can regain his clout after the Penang DAP is now seen split between Chow, Sim and him.
Former DAP leader Jeff Ooi Chuan Aun said that there would be several "cai dan" menus (some fake) line ups, which would be circulated in the run up to the election.
Some 4,000 delegates from over 1,000 branches would decide who will be the next batch of DAP leaders. - March 3, 2025.
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