On DAP Johor Chairmanship

Media statement by Liew Chin Tong, DAP MP for Kluang, on 1st January 2014

On DAP Johor Chairmanship

Over the past weeks, members of the press asked if I would run for the chairmanship of DAP Johor, as the DAP Johor Ordinary Convention is scheduled for Sunday, January 12, 2014.

In the course of the past few months, I have been humbled by many DAP Johor members, DAP and Pakatan Rakyat supporters who urged me to offer myself as a candidate for the position of DAP Johor state chairman.

The DAP is organised along the principle of “collective leadership”. Delegates will elect 15 members of the state committee at the DAP Johor State Ordinary Convention on 12th January 2014. The elected members in turn elect the chairman and office bearers among themselves.

The upcoming election of DAP Johor leadership should be about ideas, ideals and the future direction of the party in Johor.

The May 2013 election has buried the notion that Johor was an UMNO-BN bastion. 5 out of 26 parliamentary seats and 18 out of 56 state seats are now held by Pakatan Rakyat parties.

Great opportunities and challenges await DAP Johor and Pakatan Rakyat in Johor. Indeed, Johor is one of the most crucial battlegrounds for all Malaysians who want to see the end of the Barisan National government and the beginning of a regime change in Malaysia.

In this context, the new DAP Johor State leadership has three daunting tasks to fulfil:

First, to consolidate the electoral gains of DAP and Pakatan Rakyat from the May 2013 election through deepening our support base in the community;

Second, to expand DAP Johor’s support among Malay and Indian voters, as well as among youth and women voters;

Third, to enhance cooperation with PAS and PKR to build a solid collaborative relationship not only at the national level but more importantly at the state and parliamentary levels.

I hereby confirm my participation in the DAP Johor State election on 12th January 2014. If elected by delegates as one of the 15 state committee members, I am willing to offer my service as the Chairman. If accepted, together with every member of the new leadership, we will help chart a new future for Malaysia through strengthening DAP Johor and Pakatan Rakyat.

Liew Chin Tong