PARTY insiders have labelled the DAP party election which is around the corner as a ‘do or die’ mission for its chairman, Lim Guan Eng.
Regarded by many as battle between the old and young guards, party insiders said there are rumours that Guan Eng has overstayed his welcome and retaining the DAP chairmanship will be a tough battle.
Though he stepped down as secretary-general in 2022 after the maximum three terms, many still see him as a puppet-master within the party.
After all, he is still a member of the central selection committee which decides on the party’s electoral candidates.
“It is no secret … many have suggested that Guan Eng uses this position to aggressively push for those in his faction to contest,” said a party source.
This was evident in the 2023 Penang election when the most candidates were from Guan Eng’s faction.
“He (Guan Eng) even challenged the proposed list put forward by then state chairman Chow Kon Yeow.
“Guan Eng was so aggressive and persistent that eventually five of Chow’s state executive councillors were dropped from the contest,” said the source.
Another source said the focus of the party election will be on the 'Lim family' which has controlled the party leadership for years - with the spotlight on Guan Eng.
"Though Kit Siang retired, and Guan Eng is no longer secretary-general, the family still remains deeply rooted and calls the shots on numerous matters," said the source.
Though Guan Eng played a pivotal role in Pakatan Harapan's rise to power, the dynamics have changed.
"A good example of this would be the September Penang DAP election where party members sent a clear message that the Lim family was no longer their preferred choice.
"The Lim faction was almost wiped out, while Hui Ying barely passed the preliminary voting rounds,".
Some party members claim the party polls is shaping up to be a battle between the old and new guards.
"There has been talk that the younger echelon of leaders is influencing the older ones and boot out the leaders who were initially the foundations of the party," claimed an insider.
He claimed that one way of putting an end to the 'onslaught' by the younger guards was for Guan Eng to work closely with secretary-general Loke Siew Fook and vice-chairman Nga Kor Ming.
"Loke is also Negeri Sembilan chief while Nga has a firm hold of Perak, which is a major vote bank.
"Nga also enjoys strong support from other states and if he and Loke work hand in hand, they could sway the outcome of the election and determine the fate of the Lim family,".
According to political scientist Wong Chin Huat, DAP's challenge is not about choosing older or younger leaders, but in navigating its new role - as the representative of non-Malays and Chinese interests in the government.
"That has not been an easy role right from the start, as ethnic representation is a zero-sum game.
“DAP must grow into a new "political" beast - as a party in government rather than just as an Opposition entity,” he said.
Wong’s sentiments were echoed by Prof James Chin, a professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania who said DAP is now at the crossroads.
“DAP can no longer play Opposition politics as it is in government both in Penang and nationally."
“It needs to grow into mainstream politics to represent the Chinese interest,” said Chin.
He said the party must not allow external forces to take control of it.
“If this happens, DAP will lose its principles and its struggle for justice.
“The integrity of the party and the trust of the people who have supported DAP for decades will be shattered,” he said.
Apart from the Lim family, Gobind Singh, who is the son of another late founding DAP member, Karpal Singh, is also seen as facing an uphill battle in the CEC election.
The Digital Minister failed to defend his position as Selangor DAP chief in the November 2024 election.
"This is another clear indicator that the older generation’s dominance in the party may end soon," concluded a party insider.
In the Selangor DAP polls, the Damansara MP, who is a former Selangor DAP chairman, failed to make it into the top 15. – February 18, 2025
