DAP delegates today voted in two fresh faces - Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua and Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo - into the party’s central executive committee.

The move was lauded by observers who say the duo’s entry will add greater dynamism and more youthful perspective to the powerful decision-making body.

tony pua The two men were among 58 candidates vying for 20 seats on the committee. A total of 739 individuals out of a total of 948 eligible delegates cast their votes during the party’s 15th congress in Kuala Lumpur.

The 36-year old Pua later told reporters that he was happy with his performance and hoped to serve the party better.

gobind singh deo “Perhaps my contributions to the party were well-received on the ground,” said Pua, who left his successful IT company to become an active DAP member.

Gobind’s win also marks the second-time ever a father-son combo has made it into the CEC. Gobind, 34, is the son of party chairperson Karpal Singh.

Office-bearers to be announced tomorrow

The other father-son team is of course the Lims - Kit Siang and son Guan Eng. DAP supremo Kit Siang garnered the highest number of votes at 642, while secretary-general Guan Eng, who is also Penang chief minister, came in second at 624.

The high number of votes secured by the Lims was obviously the delegates’ way of rewarding them for taking the party to its most triumphant result ever during the March national polls.

In the 2004 party polls, Guan Eng and Kit Siang were placed 12th and 14th respectively. Party grassroots were then unhappy over how quickly Guan Eng was promoted to the secretary-general’s post after a ban on his holding political positions was lifted.

dap 14th congress 230808 new hq The 20 CEC members will meet tonight to determine among themselves who will get to be office bearers. Guan Eng is almost certain to be given a second-term as secretary-general.

However, he declined to comment on his new team when approached.

“Wait until tomorrow,” said a visibly happy Guan Eng.

A surprise entrant to the CEC is Skudai state assemblyperson Dr Boo Cheng Hau. He is known for his outspoken views and was four-votes shy of making it into the CEC in 2004.

Only two women - Bukit Mertajam MP Chong Eng and Selangor senior exco Teresa Kok - were voted into the CEC.

Below is a list of the newly-elected 20 CEC members:

Lim Kit Siang

Lim Guan Eng

Tan Kok Wai

Foong Kui Lun

M Kulasegaran

Teresa Kok

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Chong Chieng Jen

Karpal Singh

Ngeh Khoo Ham

Loke Siew Fook

Ahmad Ton

Tony Pua

Chong Eng

Teng Chang Khim

Nga Kor Ming

Chow Kon Yeow

P Ramasamy

Dr Boo Cheng Hau

Gobind Singh Deo