Karpal re-appointed DAP chairman for third term

DAP stalwart Karpal Singh was reappointed party chairman for the third term at the 16th DAP National Congress here today.

Karpal, who emerged with the third most votes in the party's central executive committee (CEC) elections yesterday, held the post since 2004.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was reappointed secretary-general while Member of Parliament for Cheras Tan Kok Wai was appointed deputy chairman, replacing Member of Parliament for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw who lost in party polls.

Guan Eng, who announced the CEC line-up, said the DAP had set up a new bureau known the Pakatan Rakyat Bureau chaired by Selangor State Assembly speaker Datuk Teng Chang Khim to enhance collaboration and the DAP's role in the DAP-PKR-PAS pact.

Guan Eng also announced the appointment of Dr Chen Man Hin as party adviser and two Malay representatives as CEC members, namely Senator Ariffin Omar and political secretary to the DAP secretary-general Zairil Khir Johari.

Eight other CEC members appointed were Tan Seng Giaw, Penang Deputy Chief Minister Dr P. Ramasamy, Sri Tanjong assemblyman Jimmy Wong Sze Phin, Dayak

Consultative Council chairman Dr John Brian Anthony, Sabah DAP chairman Sabah Dr Edwin Bosi, Pahang DAP chairman Leong Ngah Ngah, former Perak State Assembly speaker V. Sivakumar, and Pasir Pinji assemblyman Thomas Su Keong Siong.

The disciplinary committee continues to be headed by Tan Kok Wai while the legal bureau continues to be led by Member of Parliament for Puchong Gobind Singh Deo.

The newly established culture bureau is headed by Senawang assemblyman P.Gunasekaran while the newly minted labour bureau by Sungkai assemblyman A. Sivanesan.

Ramasamy, who lost in the CEC election, was also appointed as one of the three deputy secretary-generals. The two others were DAP Wanita chief Chong Eng and Perak DAP chairman Ngeh Koo Ham.

Several veteran leaders, including Lim Kit Siang and Tan Seng Giaw were appointed National Political Education Committee members.