ANALYSIS The coming DAP Youth election will see a straight fight between Wong Kah Woh and Yeo Bee Yin for the chief’s post. It appears that Wong has the upper hand but as far as the candidates are concerned, it will be a 50-50 battle.

Due to age restrictions, incumbent DAP Youth chief Teo Kok Seong is not seeking re-election. Thus, the competition between Wong and Yeo is the focal point for the election on Nov 22 which will see 710 central delegates nationwide picking their new leaders.

Wong, who is based in Perak, contested this post three years ago and was defeated by Teo.

Despite the defeat, Wong ( photo ) remained active, spending more time to prepare for this comeback. Besides consistently keeping in touch with the party grassroots, he has also gained a fair amount of publicity in the media to maintain his popularity among party members.

As DAP Youth has lowered its membership age limit to 35 years, this will be the last shot for the 35-year-old Canning assemblyperson to helm the wing.

However, the major concern for Wong is that he is seen as the right hand man of the Perak DAP chief Nga Kor Ming.

Last September, Nga openly stated that Perak DAP supported Wong once again to run in the party’s election.

However, Nga remains as a controversial figure in the eyes of some party factions - which could be an obstacle for Wong to garner votes from them.

Recognising this disadvantage, Wong has been trying to tone down his association with Nga in recent years.

Although Wong has been aiming for the post for years, he did not announce his manifesto and team right after the nomination due date, which was a momentum loss compared with his opponent.

Wong announced yesterday he was teaming up with Padungan assemblyperson Wong King Wei, who is running for DAP Youth deputy chief’s post.

Lew Chee Kwan, who is contesting the post of national secretary, is also believed to be a running mate for Wong.

Yeo considered a junior

On the other hand, Yeo, 32, had swiftly announced her manifesto and team soon after the nomination date.

Yeo ( photo ) joined DAP in August 2012 and she was elected as the Damansara Utama assemblyperson in the general election the following year.

In the party, Yeo maintains a non-controversial image, but she is considered as a political newbie who keeps a low profile.

This might cause her to suffera a lack in support from the grassroots when compared to Wong.

Moreover, Yeo, who holds a master’s degree from Cambridge University, has given some members an impression that she is an elitist.

Her statements before the party election were always written in English and many are unaware that she is actually from a Chinese school.

To reach out to the Chinese-dominant grassroots, Yeo has come out with her manifesto and Facebook posts in Chinese.

Yeo has also teamed up with Mengkibol assemblyperson Tan Hong Pin from Johor and Ketari assemblyperson Lee Chin Chen from Pahang to assist her in reaching out to the grassroots.

Both Tan and Lee are the incumbent committee members of DAP Youth, and have stronger ties with the grassroots.

Tan is the incumbent national secretary of DAP Youth and he is going for deputy chief. Lee is the national organising secretary and he is contesting for national secretary in the coming elections.

Nevertheless, some members are unhappy with Yeo’s high-profile team by arguing that she is promoting the infamous election ‘chai’ (list) culture.

Who will gain from debate?

Four states are deemed as the major vote banks for the Youth wing elections - Penang, Perak, Selangor and Johor.

It is believed that Wong has the Perak and Penang votes while the majority of votes from Johor will go to Yeo.

Yeo’s support base in Selangor is threatened as Wong is continuously active in Selangor to improve his following.

DAP’s mouthpiece The Rocket will be organising a debate for the DAP Youth chief candidates and both of them are eyeing it as an opportunity to garner support.

Through the debate, Yeo could enhance her reputation to attract the fence-sitters. However. Wong may also get his chance to win over Yeo’s supporters by showing off his skills in political articulation.

Related report

DAP urges roundtable meet to find exit from scandals