The Democratic Action Party (DAP) has continued to show its progressive ideology in the 17th DAP National Congress which will take place on March 20, 2022.

This follows the announcement made by DAP National Organizing Secretary Anthony Loke Siew Fook that 30 per cent of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) seats will be held by women leaders.

“For the first time in accordance to the party’s amended constitution, out of the 30 CEC members elected, there are at least nine seats for women.

“This is because we have amended the party’s constitution to ensure that DAP’s central leadership will have at least 30 percent women,” he said.

Prior to the amendment to the party’s constitution, the CEC held consultations with various levels of leadership, including at the state level, DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY), elected representatives and others.

Finally, the amendments made in 2019 were unanimously supported by all delegates.

Therefore, the Central Executive Committee elected this time will symbolize more gender inclusive leadership, ”added Anthony.

Among the current DAP Women’s Center Supreme Committee:

Teresa Kok Suh Sim – Deputy Secretary General

Yeo Bee Yin – Assistant Secretary of National Publicity

Teo Nie Ching – International Secretary

Chong Eng – Committee Member

Jannie Lasimbang – Committee Member

The new changes, which will be implemented in the 17th DAP National Congress on March 20, are a progressive effort by the DAP party to elevate more women leaders to higher positions.

The voices and aspirations of women in matters related to economy, education, religion, and all other jurisdictions will now be amplified to better reflect society.

A total of 93 hopeful candidates have enlisted themselves for a position within the CEC

The election will also see the delegates elect a new secretary-general, with Lim Guan Eng currently serving his final term. Guan Eng was elected as the DAP’s Secretary General in 2004 and consequently re-elected in 2008 and 2017.

While secretary-general has executive power for operational issues, he must still abide by the collective wisdom of the CEC when it comes to matters of policy. 

DAP will be adhering to the standard operating procedures (SOP) and have booked 12 halls to ensure that physical distancing could be practised throughout the congress, including during elections.

A total of 4,149 delegates will attend this year’s congress and all of them will be attending physically as they need to vote, which can only be done through physical attendance.

Auditors from Grand Thornton will oversee the entire voting and calculation process to ensure transparency and objective