TELUK INTAN Losing by a whisker of 238 votes in her election debut will not signal the end of Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud's political career.

Speaking to about 200 dejected supporters gathered at the party operations centre in the Perak town, she said this is not the last time they will hear of her.

"This is not the end of Dyana Sofya. The people of Teluk Intan just knew me for two weeks, but gave me 19,919 votes. I will not let you down," said the calm-looking DAP candidate clad in a purple baju kurung and black scarf.

            

The 27-year-old politician said that her struggle is not to win a MP seat but for a greater purpose.

"We need to put a stop to racial politics. I am not only contesting against Mah (Siew Keong), but the whole machinery (of BN).

"And Mah only won by (about) 200 votes," she said.

Tears flow at operations centre

She also said that although she was defeated, she will continue to contribute to Teluk Intan.

"Don't be disappointed, be with me and continue the fight, I invite all of you to join us in this fight," she said.

Though she appeared calm, there was a moment when she paused appearing to keep her composure in check when thanking the supporters and campaign team.

She was accompanied by DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang, secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and other DAP leaders who came to thank supporters.

The atmosphere was sombre at the operations centre, with many supporters seen shedding tears and hugging each other in dismay.

Full statement below:

 

Victory in defeat

 

So near, yet so far. It has been a whirlwind campaign over the last two weeks, and although we may not have achieved our ultimate goal of winning this by-election, I don’t think anyone can deny that we have given our all against the might of the entire federal government machinery.

 

Despite the negative and malicious campaigning, the people of Teluk Intan have shown their strong support for the ideas, struggles and principles that my party and I stand for. Nonetheless, I congratulate Mah Siew Keong on his victory.

 

I believe that this result is a great achievement for me personally, as well as a progressive step forward for the party. In spite of the tremendous odds stacked against us, we managed to knock down barriers previously thought impossible, and that is the real victory.

 

I accept the outcome positively, and vow to strengthen my resolve and continue fighting for the hopes and dreams of all Malaysians. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the party leadership for their unflinching support, the campaign team for their tireless commitment, and our volunteers who sacrificed so much time and energy.

 

I would also like to thank our coalition partners, including leaders from PAS and PKR who gave us their strongest support. In particular, I would also like to thank the local Teluk Intan PAS machinery, as well as the PAS Muslimat, for all their efforts and solidarity.

 

Finally, I would like to extend my deepest and most sincere appreciations to each and every voter of Teluk Intan. You have let me into your lives and I hereby tell you that I will continue what I have started.

 

This is not the end but merely the beginning. If there is one thing I have learned from the last two weeks, it is that there are thousands if not millions of Malaysians who also believe in the goal of “Malaysianising” Malaysia. And so, to each and every one of you out there, I promise that the day will come when we will all roar together for a new Malaysia.