The outcome of Selangor DAP election yesterday was a signal that members are tired of hearing their leaders talk about past sacrifices, says Teng Chang Khim.

Teng, who sits on the DAP central committee, said this to reporters today when asked to comment on the shocking ouster of incumbent Selangor DAP chairperson Tony Pua.

Pua, the Damansara MP and aide of Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, was vying for one of the 15 leadership positions in the state chapter, but only finished 19th.

“It’s a very clear message. We don’t care how you want to win votes, but stop talking about past sacrifices as the members are tired (of listening). 

"Even the public is tired,” Teng was quoted as saying in Free Malaysia Today.

'Stick with the grassroots'

He added that DAP leaders must not neglect the grassroots, who continued working for the party even in tough times. 

“When the leaders were in jail, the grassroots continued to work for us. But were they rewarded? 

"Some have been working hard, without asking for anything in return, yet we neglected them. We must go forward with our grassroots,” he said.

Teng told FMT that top DAP leaders have been rewarded for their past sacrifices when Pakatan Harapan won the 14th general election, and as such they must move on and discuss future plans instead of dwelling in the past. 

Pua's 19th place finish in the Selangor DAP Ordinary Convention yesterday saw him tie with first-term Bandar Utama assemblyperson Jamaliah Jamaluddin.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo was elected the state chapter's new chairperson.