Selangor’s Teratai state assemblyerson Jenice Lee Ying Ha has been voted in as the new DAP Youth (Dapsy) deputy chief - the highest post ever held by a woman in the opposition party’s wing.

jenice lee Lee, 28, was voted in to the post after defeating her sole opponent Penang’s Pulau Tikus state assemblyperson Koay Teng Hai at the Dapsy national congress held in Kuala Lumpur today. She polled 98 votes against Koay’s 63.

Contacted later, a jovial Lee said her victory would encourage more young women in the party to contest for top posts in the party.

“It also showed that women in the DAP not necessary have to rely on the quota system to be voted in as we can show our real power,” she told Malaysiakini , referring to the system which was put in place since 2004.

Under the Dapsy’s quota system, one of its two vice-chairpersons and five out of the 15 national executive committee members must be women.

dapsy agm 061208 leadership “Of course it is good that we have some temporary measures to encourage the women to go for the top posts but eventually it should be removed as the women can be more independent and we should have a fair fight,” Lee added.

On her agenda as the new deputy chief, the Teratai state assemblyperson said she would like to see a more vocal Dapsy to serve as the check and balance to the parent body and be outspoken on social issues.

Only 35 percent turnout rate

The Dapsy chief post was won by its former national secretary Loke Siew Fook, who is also Rasah MP, uncontested . No other candidates were nominated for the No 1 post.

dapsy agm 061208 nga kor ming anthony loke voting Meanwhile, the wing’s vice-chief posts were won by two elected representatives too - Sarawak’s Pending state rep Violet Yong Wui Wui and Perak’s Canning state rep Wong Kah Woh.

Yong polled 131 votes while Wong obtained 100 votes. The third candidate, Carmen Leong failed to make the cut after she garnered only 97 votes.

Those voted in today - including its national secretary Loh Chee Heng and 15 national executive committee members - will serve for 2008-2010 term.

Although it is the wing’s election today, a low turnout rate of 35 percent was recorded. Only 171 out of the 495 eligible delegates showed up.

In his speech earlier, outgoing Dapsy chief Nga Kor Ming, who is also Perak state executive councillor, called for the enactment of a new law to ban race-based political party.

Nga said this is important for national unity in the wake of recent statements made by politicians who called for the integration of national schools and described the Chinese as “squatters”.