'Big shoes to fill': New S'gor DAP chief lauds 'peacemaker' Gobind

Describing Gobind Singh Deo as a “peacemaker” who brought different groups together, Ng Sze Han said he has “big shoes to fill” as the new Selangor DAP chairperson.

“As I assume the role, I wish to begin by recording my appreciation for Gobind.

“For many years, Gobind played the role of peacemaker in Selangor, bringing different groups of members together. No matter how diverse they are, Gobind has the ability to persuade people to sit down together and talk.

“This is something most admirable which I want to emulate,” Ng (above, second right) added in a Facebook post this morning,

Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that Gobind, who is also the digital minister, failed to be re-elected to Selangor DAP’s 15-member committee.

Gobind - the previous term’s Selangor DAP chairperson - is the only party minister who was not elected to a state committee this year.

Under Gobind’s leadership, Ng said Selangor DAP navigated a challenging period of adopting the unity coalition at the state level and went on to win every seat the party contested in the last state election.

“His leadership provided stability and confidence for Selangor Pakatan Harapan to chart a functional pathway for all the parties in the new unity coalition,” added the Kinrara assemblyperson.

Ng said Gobind is someone who honours veterans and this was clearly reflected in the latter’s support for the late Kuala Kubu Baharu assemblyperson Lee Kee Hiong while she was battling cancer.

Gobind declines to be co-opted

“Gobind is also the kind of leader who gives you a lot of room to develop your own leadership skills and style. He is not a dictator and provides space for disagreement.

“I have big shoes to fill. On behalf of the newly elected state committee, we hope we will measure up to the good work done by Gobind for Selangor DAP.

“I am confident Gobind will continue to provide guidance and sound advice like he has always done for us,” he added.

Following his defeat, Gobind, who is the son of the late DAP chairperson Karpal Singh, promised to do his best to assist the new team.

He also appeared to reject any offer to be co-opted into the committee.

Gobind’s exit came despite DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke telling delegates that he wished the Selangor committee to be a multiracial one that included a “Singh”, referring to a Punjabi.

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