DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) national secretary Loke Siew Fook became the opposition party’s new Youth chief today after no other candidates were nominated to contest the post at the wing’s national congress elections, set to take place this Saturday.

In a statement released today, Loke said for the first time, reporters will be able to cover the congress, which will take place at the MAA Building in Kuala Lumpur.

loke siew fook "The Dapsy National Congress 2008 will elect a new leadership for the term 2008-2010," said Loke, who is Rasah member of parliament and Lobak state assemblyperson.

Among the closely-watched contests is the post of Loke’s deputy, which is heating up between Teratai state assemblyperson Jenice Lee Ying Ha and Pulau Tikus state assemblyperson Koay Teng Hai.

Two other women, Carmen Leong Ooi Kuan and Violet Yong Wui Wui, will be battling each other and Wong Kah Moh for the two positions of Dapsy vice-chairpersons.

29 vie for 15 exco seats

Under the party constitution, one of the posts must be held by a woman.

The position of Dapsy national secretary, meanwhile, will see a contest between Kampung Tunku state representative Lau Weng San and Cheras DAP liaison committee secretary Loh Chee Heng.

Twenty-nine others will be vying for the 15 seats on Dapsy’s national executive committee, five of whom must be women.

They are Ashvin Raj, Chan Su Sann, Cheong Chee Khing, Choong Siew Onn, Eddie Chang Teck Chee, Fong Kok Leong, Gobind Singh Deo, Jagdeep Singh Deo, Khoo Poay Tiong, Kuan Perk Siong, Lau Keng Ee, Lee Chun Hur, Lee Fu Haw, Leong Ooi Yee, Medaline Chang She Yun, Ng Suee Lim, Ng Tien Chee (Eddie), Ng Wei Aik, Ong Boon Piow, Ooi Leng Hang, Tan Hong Pin, Tan Hun Wooi, Teo Eng Ching, Teo Kok Seong, Tey Kok Kiew, Tiew Way Keng, V Sivakumar, Yew Teong Chong and Yong Choo Kiong.