SHAH ALAM: Selangor DAP veteran Datuk Teng Chang Khim was absent from the party's state convention on Sunday (Nov 14).

       In a post on Facebook, Teng said he had chosen to say goodbye by not attending the event.

       "I choose to bid you farewell by not attending the conference today.

       "I fought for the cause together with many of you since I joined the committee in 1996. I only opted out one term when I felt tired," said Teng.

       His post appeared to confirm his earlier contention that he would be giving up active politics.

       He also said his stand was clear with regard to the Selangor DAP polls, in that the party required reforms urgently.

       "The party needs reform badly but it must be in the right hands in order to do so.

       "We can only put our trust in those who have (a) track record, credibility and ability," said the Bandar Baru Klang assemblyman and Selangor exco member.

       He said he found it difficult to trust those who had stood against reforms in the past but claimed to be reformists now.

       He added that he would prefer to trust those more capable and credible than those who were "pseudo reformers".

       Teng ended his post with a note of appreciation: "Thank you to all of you who love and hate me for all of you make me strong and steadfast."

       Meanwhile, 51 people will be contesting 15 coveted positions in the state DAP leadership.

       Going by the climate at the convention, it will not be surprising if the top winners in the polls will be the two Ngs – Ng Suee Lim and Ng Sze Han.

       Both names were also mentioned by Teng as being the most capable to lead the DAP's Selangor chapter.

       Both had received the loudest cheers from delegates when their names were announced.

       Suee Lim is the Selangor Speaker and Sekinchan assemblyman while Sze Han is a state executive councillor and Kinrara assemblyman.