Pushing for progress

AT least two major events would take place during the DAP national congress this weekend, says Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow.

 

Chow said the party would have at least 30% of women in its 30-member central executive committee (CEC).

 

“The 30% gender quota will take place during the congress,” he told the media when questioned at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre today.

 

Chow said the delegates would also have to decide and vote in a national leadership team that could bring the political party forward to meet the challenges in this turbulent political situation.

 

“The delegates will have to be physically present at the congress to vote in the new national committee. There will also be a change in the party’s secretary-general post.

 

“Although the party had wanted to do the voting digitally, it is not allowed under the Constitution,” he said.

 

The current DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng is completing his maximum three terms as the party’s secretary-general.

 

The new national leadership will be serving for the 2022-2025 term.

 

It was reported by a news portal that the DAP’s national congress would be held on March 20 at the Ideal Convention Centre (IDCC) in Shah Alam.

 

The congress which was initially scheduled to be held on June 20 last year was postponed due to Covid-19.

 

DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke Siew Fook was reportedly quoted as saying that a total of 4,149 delegates would elect the leadership for the 2022-2025 term.

 

On a separate matter, Chow said the states could decide when to call for a state election.

 

“Under the Constitution, the states have the discretion to decide when they want to hold elections.

 

“It has happened in many states in the past, such as in Sabah, Sarawak, Kelantan, Johor, and Melaka.

 

“We reserve our rights to decide for our own. We can decide to hold the state election upon the completion of our term,” Chow, who is the Penang Chief Minister, said.