WHEN the dust settled, DAP veteran Phee Boon Poh surprisingly found that he, along with five other incumbents, were among the casualties of the Penang DAP elections. An unprecedented 88 candidates had vied for 15 positions in the state committee, fighting for the votes of some 800 delegates in the state. The winners ended up being Jagdeep Singh Deo, Danny Law Heng Kiang, Chow Kon Yeow, Chong Eng, Lim Hock Seng, Ng Wei Aik, Wong Hon Wai, Koay Teng Hai, Lim Hui Ling, Prof Dr P Ramasamy, Teh Yee Cheu, Harvindar Singh, RSN Rayer, Gooi Seong Kin and Lay Hock Peng.

Phee later said, "I am a soldier and I would die in the battlefield with my boots on. When the delegates make such a decision, it shows that I am not good enough for them. This inspires me to work harder." Read here. A day after the convention, Phee said that he was still "undecided" as to whether he would accept a committee post following his surprise defeat. Read here. The elections suggested a wider acceptance of "outsiders" into the local political fold, and firmly establishes Penang as a "frontline" DAP state. Read here.

In spite of the crowded field, the "fight" had been expected to be a friendly affair, lacking the intense hostility as had been seen in the recent Perak and Selangor polls. Some quarters, however, differed.  "I think there are no clear lines drawn in this election; this would be more of a free-for-all," a prominent state leader who spoke on condition of anonymity said. Read here.

The top positions in Penang DAP are state chairman (occupied by Chow Kon Yeow), deputy chairman (Lim Hock Seng), and vice-heads, currently filled by Jagdeep Singh Deo and Lim Hui Ling. Chief minister Lim Guan Eng had opted to remain neutral, even though he is regarded as the state leader. Read here. Chow Kon Yeow successfully retained his state chairmanship for a sixth straight term. He accumulated the third highest number of votes among all the candidates. Read here.

State party secretary Koay Teng Hai said that one reason so many were contesting is because there is a mistaken assumption that winning a position would mean an automatic candidacy in the general elections. Instead, candidates for the general elections will be determined by the DAP state committee and national leaders. Read here.

Commenting earlier on speculation that as many as five state assemblymen may be voted out, Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi sad: “We hope the delegates have the wisdom to select a mixed line-up of veterans and young leaders,” . Read here. Also, a minor scandal erupted when former grassroots leader Teh Hock Yong arrived at the convention bearing a mini coffin intended for deputy secretary-general Chong Eng. Chong Eng had allegedly accused Teh of masterminding a plot to overthrow the current leadership. Read here.

Other news

• Penang risks water crisis, too: Penang is also in for a water crisis if it does not find an additional source within five years, the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) has cautioned. Read here.
• Ipoh- Padang Besar double tracking project 60 per cent completed, says Kong: The progress of the Ipoh-Padang Besar electrified railway double-tracking project (PLBE), which stretches 329 kilometres, is now 60 per cent complete, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said on Wednesday. Read here.
• Opponents give "black" cakes to birthday boy Guan Eng: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng who turns 50 on Wednesday received three heart-shaped “black” chocolate cakes from several non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Read here.
• A dying girl's plea to the health minister: A smart girl scoring 11 As in SPM, Yang Yanqi passed away last week after a two-year struggle with blood cancer. She penned a letter to health minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai shortly before she died, expressing her regrets over the deficiency of the country's cord blood and adult stem cell banking system while pleading to the minister to further enhance the country's health deliverance. Read here.
• Bridge-builder Lee arrives to strengthen links with Malaysia: South Korea’s president who helped to build Penang Bridge has a special passion for Malaysia. Read here.

For more news on Penang, please click through to iGT NetBuzz Dec 6 to 12, 2010 here. For daily updates, "like" iGeorgeTown on Facebook or join us on Twitter.

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