Former DAP Socialist Youth chief Teng Chang Khim has rejected an offer by the wing's top leadership for the post of deputy chairperson.

Teng, who is Bandar Klang state assembly representative, said today he declined the position as it was against the principles of democracy despite seeking re-election in last Saturdays's polls to ensure continuity in the wing's leadership.

But the results of the elections, he added, indicated that the delegates wanted a younger leader and someone endorsed by the top leadership. Teng turns 40 this year, the age limit for Dapsy members.

"I respect the decision of the delegates and the new national executive council (NEC) of Dapsy was elected based on the spirit of democracy. We need to be consistent before and after the elections," he told malaysiakini when contacted.

"I would like to continue serving in Dapsy but I cannot allow my personal wish to over-ride these principles. This is my message to the top leadership," added the former Youth leader, who is a noted critic of the party's top leadership.

The lawyer-cum-politician created a controversy when he requested DAP national chairperson Lim Kit Siang not to seek re-election at the party's polls in 2001.

Offer from new chief

In the Dapsy election held in Kuala Lumpur, 20 out of 35 candidates were elected to the NEC, the wing's administrative body.

Pantai Remis state assembly representative Nga Kor Ming is the new Dapsy chief while Penang DAP assistant publicity secretary Tan Hun Wooi was made the new deputy.

It is learnt that Nga had offered the deputy chief's position to Teng, who headed the wing since 1999, succeeding former Kota Melaka MP Lim Guan Eng.

In the recent elections, Teng and several of his supporters failed to make it to the top 20 NEC posts, giving the impression that they were ousted for being critical towards the top leadership. Teng only managed to obtain 56 out of 121 votes.

But party leaders denied that Teng and his allies were unseated because they went against their bosses although Lim had admitted some responsibility for not asking delegates to vote for Teng as he did in 1999.

Collective leadership

When contacted, Nga said he wanted to "put the matter to rest".

"My bona fide intentions have been twisted. All I want to say is that we are all in one team and we should progress together," he said.

Asked about his plans for Dapsy, Nga declined to comment beyond saying that the NEC would meet soon to discuss the matter.

"We practise collective leadership. I'll propose my plans at the meeting and the council members will advise whether they are acceptable or not," he said.

Nga is 30 and has many years to helm Dapsy if he continues to receive support from party comrades.

Meanwhile, Teng conceded that his views were at times poles apart from those of the top leadership, which explains why he is not popular in the party.

Teng, a strong advocate of reformasi, had also publicly called for opposition unity at the height of the controversy between PAS and DAP.

DAP eventually left the Barisan Alternatif in September 2001 when the party failed to resolve the Islamic state issue with PAS.

"I like to see the party go forward three steps. But they prefer to go forward one step by taking three steps. That is the difference of opinions we have," he said.