Johor DAP chairperson Liew Chin Tong has confirmed he will pass on the state chief baton after the party elections, a move first reported by Malaysiakini last Friday.
He also said he is preparing to hand the position to current Johor DAP deputy chairperson Teo Nie Ching.
In a video uploaded to Teo’s TikTok account last night, Liew was asked if he would step down and answered, “Yes.”
“I hope that on Oct 6 (during the Johor DAP election), Teo and I can be elected as one of the 15 state committee members.
“If both of us are elected to the state committee, during the subsequent selection, I will nominate Teo to be the next chairperson of Johor DAP.”
The deputy minister of investment, trade, and industry also explained that the timing of the move was with the next general election in mind.
He hoped Teo would have enough time to lead Johor DAP and inject new elements into the party, especially younger members.
He added that a new leadership would bring a fresh atmosphere and even more female representation.
Liew, who is the Iskandar Puteri MP, said when he was re-elected as the Johor DAP chairperson, he said we would co-lead with Teo and hoped she would eventually take over his role.
Teo, in the video, responded in jest, “Yes, you’ve been saying that for three years and I always thought you’d change your mind at the last minute.”
Liew replied, “I have been the Johor chairperson for 10 years, and it’s time for you to shine.”
Teo, who is the deputy minister of communications, then said if she needed to take on the responsibility of leading Johor DAP, she would not shy away.
“So, I hope we can both earn the support of Johor party members on Oct 6.”
Malaysiakini reported on Friday (Sept 27) that in a recent Johor DAP committee meeting, Liew said he wanted to hand over his position.
DAP’s party elections follow a system where party delegates first vote to select 15 state committee members.
Then the committee members will choose individuals from among themselves to place in key positions in the state committee, including the state chairperson position. – Malaysiakini