'This is not the end of Dyana' - Dyana Sofya

Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud has declared that her defeat at the Teluk Intan polls would not spell the end of her political career.

"Honestly, I am disappointed for not being able to defend Teluk Intan.

"But this is not the end of Dyana," she told reporters at the DAP operations centre here.

The 27-year-old lawyer pledged that her fight, in particular to end racial politics, would continue.

"I will not let u down. I will still be here and stay in Teluk Intan," she said.

"Don't be disappointed. Continue the fight. Stay with me. Our mission has not ended," she said, thanking everyone for their help.

Her former boss and DAP national advisor, Lim Kit Siang said Dyana Sofya has made historic steps in Malaysian politics, but said more time is needed for change.

"There is sadness, disappointed, but the struggle must go on.

"In such short time, she got 19,000 votes. But it was not enough for victory. Maybe we needed more time, more effort. Thanks to everyone who came back... if more came, perhaps the results would have been different," he said.

Dyana Sofya lost to Barisan Nasional's Datuk Mah Siew Keong, who wrested the seat from DAP in the by-election with a small majority of 238 votes.

Meanwhile, DAP Perak chairman ‎Nga Kor Ming said despite her defeat, Dyana Sofya will be appointed into the Perak state exco in charge of youth affairs.