All eyes will be on whether Malay candidates will make it to the top 15 spots at tomorrow’s DAP Penang polls as the results would either perpetuate or dispel the perception that the party is a ‘Chinese chauvinist' one.

However, Malay candidates like Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari and Penang Island city councillor Syerleena Abdul Rashid who are both vying for posts tomorrow do not see this as an issue.

“This always seems to be the case with DAP and frankly, the issue is overblown. The whole point of DAP is not about race but capability,” Zairil told Malaysiakini when met in Georgetown today.

“I hope delegates will choose leaders they deem able to take us through the coming 14th general elections (GE) with success and to help ensure a regime change at the federal level,” said Zairil.

“We are facing the election of a lifetime in 2.5 years time and the people elected tomorrow will be responsible for setting the groundwork to face it,” noted the DAP assistant publicity secretary.

Syerleena concurs with Zairil, saying that race should never be an issue as what was more important was that everyone worked hard to achieve what was best for country.

“There are quite a lot of Malays in DAP already. Many are new and work tremendously hard for party,” she said.

The other Malay candidate eyeing for a post is Hamka Abdullah, a rather low-profile party man compared to the other two.

Forty-eight candidates will tomorrow contest for 15 posts in the DAP state committee. Five will be co-opted to make-up the toal 20 positions. All 15 incumbents are defending their posts.

These include Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy, state executive councillors Lim Hock Seng, Phee Boon Poh, Danny Law Heng Kiang and Jagdeep Singh Deo.

Other than Zairil, MPs joining the battle include Ng Wei Aik (Tanjung), Jeff Ooi (Jelutong), Steven Sim (Bukit Mertajam) and Kasthuriraani Patto.

Ramkarpal Singh (Bukit Gelugor) is unable to contest as he is not eligible having been a party member for less than two years.

Speculation is rife that the controversy involving DAP assemblyperson Teh Yee Cheu, who was in the spotlight recently for supporting an Umno’s motion on reclamation at the state legislative last week, will become an issue at tomorrow’s event.

Teh has apologised for his decision to support Umno’s motion and has resigned from his organising secretary's post, but his supporters within the party have been organising solidarity events to defend him.

Teh therefore hardly needs to lobby for more votes at the polls tomorrow with such solidarity campaigns ( main photo ) in support of him.

'Wisdom, experience precious'

DAP state secretary Lim Hui Ying confirmed that 1,076 are eligible to vote. However, judging by previous conventions, only 70 percent will turn up

There is also concern that the committee elected will be heavy with veterans and members who already hold important posts like state excos and assemblymen. How will newbies and younger leaders ever get the chance to prove themselves?

Syerleena, however, said: “Where would the party be without the contributions and sacrifices made by our party veterans?”

“They held the party together through tough times and have every right to contest. Age or seniority shouldn't be seen as a hindrance,” she told Malaysiakini.

“Their wisdom and experiences are extremely precious especially in these trying times.

“As someone considered pretty new, I am forever humbled by their contributions to the party and their perseverance in making this country a better place for all Malaysians,” she added.

Member and delegate Daniel Gooi supported the view that although members may be aware of certain burning issues within the party, they will tend to choose a committee that will pull through the next general elections.

“This is a very important committee and a very important general election,” added Gooi, the political aide to Jagdeep, the Dato Keramat assemblyperson.

Earlier, there were whispers on the issue of Penang Chief Minister Lim not contesting for a post tomorrow.

The issue was raised by Parti Cinta Malaysia vice-president Huan Cheng Guan who challenged Lim to contest to prove his support but the DAP secretary-general shot back: “Are you a party member? Join the party first”.

Lim said it was not necessary for him to contest and his views are aligned with the incumbent state DAP committee members.

Double standards poser

Chai Leng Park delegate Shamser Singh Thind said he would be proposing direct elections for the state committee.

“Otherwise, people like Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua and Taiping’s Nga Kor Ming will become leaders despite getting a lesser number of votes in total,” said the law lecturer.

He said there will also be questions about the 'double standards' towards PAS allegedly practised by DAP in Penang and Selangor.

“A case in point is is that Penang DAP sacked PAS councillors but they are working with PAS in Selangor,” he noted.

He also wants to suggest that DAP appoint only local people who are full-time politicians to become councillors, assemblypersons and MPs.

“There must know their areas and people so they can contribute effectively. Race, religion and the surname of a person should never be considered.

“Token appointments must never be practised in DAP like what happened at the Teluk Intan by-election last year”.