It would seem that the only significant change that will occur the 13th DAP annual national congress in Kuala Lumpur this weekend is the color of the delegates' uniform - from white to black.

As far as the party's central executive committee (CEC) election today was concerned, there were no surprises. With the exception of newcomers Wong Ho Leng and Nga Kor Ming, the DAP old guard was re-elected.

Acting national congress organising secretary Tan Kok Wai announced to the press that Fong Kui Lun, who is member of parliament for Bukit Bintang, came out tops with 336 votes followed by Ahmad Nor who bagged 334 votes, Karpal Singh, 332, and party's current chief Lim Kit Siang, 331.

Acting secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock came in fifth with 310 votes, followed by Tan, MP for Cheras, with 310 votes, MP for Bukit Mertajam Chong Eng, 304, Hew Kuan Yau, 303, Teresa Kok, 300, and MP for Tanjung Chow Kon Yeow, 299.

Current party publicity secretary Ronnie Liu captured 291 votes, followed by MP for Kepong Tan Seng Giaw, 293, former Teluk Intan MP M Kulasegaran, 291, Ngeh Koo Hum, 283, Wong Ho Leng, 248 and Leong Ngah Ngah, 225.

A new face in the CEC, Nga Kor Ming won 224 votes, MP for Bagan Lim Hock Seng bagged 201 votes while outgoing party Youth chief and state assemblyman for Bandar Klang Teng Chang Khim scored 196 votes and outgoing deputy secretary general Zulklifli Mohd Noor grabbing 193 votes.

Teng's supporters were jubilant when the results were announced. Teng, who had earlier called on party leader Kit Siang to step down, said that he could be booted out from the committee.

No major changes

A total number of 525 delegates from 218 branches nationwide voted for the 20 new CEC members. These 20 will decide tomorrow on the party's new office bearers for the next three years.

"The positions to be filled by the 20 will also be announced tomorrow after we have conducted polls among ourselves," Tan said

DAP leaders on Aug 15 said they are not expecting major changes in the party's leadership line-up as most of the incumbent CEC members have been re-nominated to contest.

DAP party elections are held every three years with delegates at the annual congress selecting 20 candidates as CEC members. The new committee will then elect the key office bearers.

The new leadership team may appoint up to 10 additional members to the CEC.