GEORGE TOWN, Sept 22 — Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim Chee Keong has been elected as the new Penang DAP chairman, replacing Chow Kon Yeow who has held the post since 1999.
Sim announced the new DAP state committee’s lineup for the term 2024 to 2027.
“This new committee is a unity team and we wish to call on all DAP members to close ranks to build a stronger party for the people,” Sim said on announcing the new state DAP lineup.
He said that Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh is the new state deputy chairman.
State exco Zairil Khir Johari and former state exco Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin are the vice chairmen.
Lim Hui Ying remains as the state secretary while H’ng Mooi Lye is the assistant secretary.
Teh Lai Heng is the treasurer while party veteran Lay Hock Peng is the assistant treasurer.
Phee Boon Chee is the state organising secretary with Lee Wei Seang and Lim Siew Khim as assistants.
Woo Sze Zen is the state publicity secretary and Soon Lip Chee is his assistant.
State exco Daniel Gooi Zi Sen is the political education director.
The six committee members are RSN Rayer, Phee Syn Tze, Ooi Yong Wooi, Teh Chuann Yien, Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo and Foo Yu Keong.
Sim said the new committee will continue to put its full support on the state government under the leadership of Chow as the chief minister.
He also paid tribute to former Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow for his contributions to the party in the past 25 years.
Sim, who is also the human resources minister, said they will also fully support the federal government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“We will hit the ground running by getting down to work immediately,” he said.
He added that a special NGO liaison task force, involving Ramkarpal Singh, Zairil Khir Johari, and Yeoh, was formed to strengthen ties with the people and various community groups.
Later, when asked if he aspired to become chief minister, a position typically held by the state DAP chairman, Sim said his priority is focusing on grassroots work.
“We want to make sure we win the next elections and establish the government together,” he said.
He added that it will be discussed later as now the focus is to first work on the ground.
Meanwhile, Ramkarpal said he was pleasantly surprised to have received the highest number of votes today.
“I will carry out the mandate given to me by the delegates as best I could by working hard,” he said.
