DAP’s Liew Chin Tong is going places
Eileen Ng, TMI
No one was more shocked than Liew Chin Tong (pic) himself when he found out that he topped the list in DAP’s central executive committee (CEC) election last night.
The 36-year-old could not fathom why he beat bigwigs like Karpal Singh, Lim Kit Siang and even fiery Lim Guan Eng.
“I’m not sure. It is the decision of the delegates, and I thank them for the honour,” a stunned Liew told reporters when asked the reasons for his popularity.
In the December party polls, Liew only garnered 984 votes, which gave him the 14th spot in the 20-member CEC.
Last night the youngest CEC member received 1,438 votes.
Modesty aside, Liew zoomed to the top partly because of his work as party strategist and his down-to-earth demeanour.
Many credited the DAP tactician’s work in the run-up and during the 13th general election when his secular, Chinese-dominated party had its best showing.
DAP also penetrated the southern state of Johor, which was deemed to be a BN fortress all this while.
In the May national polls, DAP won 38 parliamentary and 95 state seats.
“It’s a reflection of his success in Johor and the good work that he has done,” notes Liew’s party colleague, Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari.
Liew’s talent, age and affable nature make for an attractive package to members who see him as a second echelon leader who can take over the reins of the party when the older leaders step down.
The second-term MP, described by many as “hardworking” and “humble”, earned the admiration of members, especially those from Johor, when he gave up his previous parliamentary seat of Bukit Bendera – a safe seat – to contest in Kluang.
He unseated MCA’s Dr Hou Kok Chung, a former deputy minister.
