‘I didn’t expect many votes, but didn’t expect to miss cut either’: DAP’s Pua

KUALA LUMPUR – DAP’s Tony Pua has said he will not take up any appointed post on the party’s central executive committee (CEC) if offered, as he acknowledged that he had been “rejected” by delegates at his party’s national convention yesterday.

In a statement yesterday conceding defeat, Pua said it is clear that DAP’s members do not want him in the party’s CEC.

“While I wasn’t expecting very high votes today, I certainly wasn’t expecting to miss the cut, especially in an enlarged CEC,” he said.

“It is undoubtedly disappointing, but I accept the decision of the party delegates with an open heart.”

The Damansara MP said he will continue to support newly elected DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke despite the setback, albeit as a normal party member.

“I call upon all party members and supporters to give their full support to Loke as the new secretary-general for DAP. Loke has more than his hands full in the current political climate,” Pua said.

Besides Pua, several other senior leaders failed to make the cut for the CEC including Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, Klang MP Charles Santiago, Syahredzan Johan, Bakri MP Yeo Bee Yin, Tg Bunga assemblyman Zairil Khir Johari, and Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming.

Delegates, however, elected a clutch of new faces to the powerful committee. They include Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto, Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh, Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi, Ketari assemblywoman Young Syefura Othman (Rara), Lanang MP Alice Lau Kiong Yieng, and Lim Hui Ying who is the sister of outgoing secretary-general Lim Guan Eng. – The Vibes, March 21, 2022