FORMER DAP national publicity chief Tony Pua announced that he does not wish to be nominated to be co-opted into the party’s central executive committee (CEC) as he failed to make the cut in the party congress held yesterday (March 20).
“I have informed our new secretary-general, Anthony Loke that I do not wish to be nominated for co-option into the CEC.
“This is because unlike most other candidates who failed to make the cut, they merely did not secure sufficient votes from the delegates.
“In my case, it’s clear cut that the party delegates have specifically chosen to reject me, given my existing position in the party. Therefore, it would fly in the face of the delegates’ decision, should I find my way back to the CEC via the co-option exercise,” he said in a statement.
Yesterday DAP’s national congress was an emotional one for most members as party stalwart Lim Kit Siang announced his retirement from politics.
His son, Lim Guan Eng also completed his maximum three-term limit as secretary-general, paving way for Loke to take over the seat.
Although Gobind Singh Deo won the highest number of votes in the party polls, there was an agreement beforehand that Loke would succeed Guan Eng.
It is to note that the elected CEC has the power to elect an additional 10 members to the committee.
Touching on the matter, Pua said that this was the first time he had failed to get elected since joining the party in 2008.
“And this came despite the fact that the number of elected members has been enlarged from 20 to 30 persons this Congress,” the Damansara MP stated.
Proud to have taken down a kleptocrat
Nevertheless, Pua said he was grateful for being given the opportunity to lead the DAP, particularly its publicity team, which he had helmed since 2008.
Since helming the section, he mentioned that his team had produced the best mascots, best-selling books, sharpest promotion materials, inspiring songs, the most popular political videos and utilised social media platforms to level the playing field.
“Most importantly, I’m proud to have played a significant role in taking down the world’s greatest kleptocrat, leading to his first criminal conviction in 2020.
“For the first time in history, the former corrupt prime minister suffered the ignominy of being sentenced to 12 years in prison for abuse of power, and 10 years in jail for each of six counts of money laundering and breach of trust,” Pua remarked. – March 21, 2022.
Pic credit: Azneal Ishak | Malaysiakini
