SHAH ALAM: As widely expected, Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim came out tops at the Selangor DAP party polls here with 786 votes.

       Trailing behind him was Kinrara assemblyman Ng Sze Han with 699 votes.

       The Ngs are Selangor Speaker and state executive councillor respectively.

       The Javanese-speaking Suee Lim may not have impressive academic qualifications like some of his Selangor DAP colleagues, but he is known for his geniality and leadership.

       He has also contributed much to helping to transform his constituency from a sleepy hollow to a bustling agriculture, fishing and tourism hub.

       He acted with decorum even when chiding the Opposition during state assembly meetings when he was not yet the Speaker.

       Following yesterday’s state party election, the new leadership line-up selected by the top 15 candidates saw the previous team retained, with Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo heading it as the chairman.

       DAP has a two-tier election system where delegates vote in 15 people who then elect the office-bearers from among themselves.

       The only change is Sze Han, who is a former treasurer and who is now the secretary, taking over from Sungai Pelek assemblyman Ronnie Liu, while Bangi MP Dr Ong Kian Ming assumed the post of treasurer.

       Liu did not make it into the group of 15 despite heavily campaigning as a grassroots leader.

       Earlier in the day, Gobind said the party would seek additional seats in the state in the next general election, adding that the request was being made because of the increase in the number of seats at Pakatan Harapan’s disposal.

       “When you look at the earlier combination, it was the seats that were divided among the component parties of Pakatan which included Bersatu,” he said.

       He explained that since the demographics had changed with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia no longer in the picture, there was a need to relook the seats available in the 15th General Election.

       The three seats DAP is eyeing are the Semenyih and Selat Klang state seats as well as the Tanjong Karang parliamentary seat.

       Semenyih and Tanjong Karang are being held by Umno while Selat Kelang’s incumbent is from Bersatu.

       “Discussions for the seats are currently ongoing with PKR and Amanah,” said Gobind.

       He also said that if they are allocated the requested 18 seats, Selangor DAP must ensure it wins all of them like it did with the 16 seats it was allocated in the last general election.

       On another matter, Gobind said DAP viewed seriously party-hopping by elected representatives.

       “The best way to prevent this is to ensure there are laws to prevent the act,” he said, adding that DAP was prepared to support constitutional amendments to put a stop to the practice.

       DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, in his speech, reminded members not to forget the contributions made by party veterans.

       “This must be remembered by all, especially young members, that without the contributions and sacrifices of the party veterans, we wouldn’t be here,” he said.

       A total of 1,116 delegates from 218 divisions attended the Selangor DAP 2021 Ordinary State Convention, which was held at the Shah Alam Convention Centre.

       Fifty-one Selangor DAP members contested in the state polls to vie for the 15 positions.