DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) chief Teng Chang Khim will attempt to retain his post at the wing's triennial national congress in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow but said today the odds were 50-50.

It is learnt that Teng who is Bandar Klang state assembly representative will be challenged by a relatively new face, Pantai Remis (Perak) state assembly representative Nga Kor Ming.

This is the first time that Nga has been nominated as one of the 38 candidates for the 20 positions in the wing's National Executive Council (NEC). He is currently in the party's Central Executive Committee by virtue of his position as a state rep.

Initially it was believed that former Dapsy national press secretary Hew KuanYau would take over the wing's top post but he left for Hong Kong last year to pursue a doctorate degree.

Smooth transition

Teng, who has been at the helm since 1999, told malaysiakini he wanted to stay in order to rebuild the wing and to ensure that the constitutional amendments related to the wing's election system are implemented.

"I am duty bound to stay on to ensure smooth transition of power but if members feel that someone else should lead the team, I accept," said the Youth chief who sparked off an internal commotion when he urged DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang not to seek re-election during the party polls in 2001.

However, win or lose, this will be Teng's last shot for the post as he will turn 40 this year the age limit to contest for a post in the wing.

Meanwhile, Nga said he was not sure whether he would be chosen to challenge Teng but added he was prepared to do his best if the delegates wanted him to do so.

"There is no money politics, no undue pressure, it is a healthy competition. No one is lobbying for positions. I am sure Teng is not doing it either," said the lawyer-cum-politician.

"Let delegates exercise their freedom to vote. Anyway, after the elections, Teng and I will be in the same team...that is the most important thing," he added.

The wing's elections, which was scheduled to take place in late 2001, was postponed due to the impending constitutional amendments.

Direct election

Its acting national secretary Loke Siew Fook said the current NEC had proposed amendments to the constitution which will be presented for adoption by delegates attending the congress.

One of the key amendments, he explained, was to implement direct election for the top five posts chairperson, deputy chairperson, two vice-chairperson and national secretary at the next congress.

Currently, the 20 elected NEC members will re-elect among themselves for the various posts in the committee.

Another major amendment was to promote gender equality in the wing by requiring that one of the two vice-chairpersons be a woman. The wing is also proposing that five of the 15 NEC members be women to ensure a 30 percent female composition in the committee.

"The five key office bearers will be form Dapsy's political bureau, which is the highest policy making body of the wing," he said when contacted.

Meanwhile, Teng welcomed the new system as it was part of the party's democratisation process.

He said the present system was flawed because it was not difficult to "influence" 11 out of 20 elected representative to vote for a candidate.

"It will also prevent intense lobbying as candidates are not sure if they are going to be elected until the delegates meet," he said.

"Interested candidates would have to be truly prepared and come up with their own manifestos to convince delegates that they deserve the posts," added the Youth chief.

No 'yes' man

Other leaders were also pleased about the proposed amendment which is considered part of the party's reform agenda espoused since 1990.

"Since we preach democracy, we must also practise it," said DAP Selangor state committee member T Kannan when contacted.

However, Kannan, who is also one of the NEC nominees, was uncertain whether the proposal would go down well with the delegates.

"We do not know if it (proposal) is suitable for the party but we shall try," he said.

Asked what criteria delegates would like to see in the wing's top leadership post, Kannan replied: "We definitely do not want a 'yes' man".