Seremban MP Loke Siew Fook is the new DAP secretary-general, replacing Lim Guan Eng who was elected as the party’s national chairman at the 17th DAP National Congress in Shah Alam.

Loke, who was previously the party’s national organising secretary, replaces Guan Eng who could not be re-elected to the post as the party’s constitution only allows a person to be secretary-general for a maximum of three terms.

The former transport minister was elected to the central executive committee (CEC) after gaining 1,625 votes, while Guan Eng got 1,311 votes.

The decision was announced by congress speaker, Chiew Chiu Sing, at a press conference following the meeting.

A total of 2,179 delegates attended the one-day congress at the Ideal Convention Center (IDCC) in Shah Alam, voting in 30 CEC members for the 2022-2025 term.

The CEC members then elected party office bearers, including for the post of secretary-general.

Loke and Guan Eng were among 92 candidates who contested 30 CEC posts for the 2022-2025 term.

DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang, 81, withdrew from contesting the party’s election this time after announcing his retirement from politics after 56 years.

Meanwhile, Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo, who garnered the highest number of votes with 1,782 votes, remained as the national deputy chairman.

The national vice-chairmen posts went to former Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Nga Kor Ming, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen, Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok Suh Sim.

Chiew also announced the appointment of Kit Siang as the party’s mentor, former chairman Tan Kok Wai as an adviser, and Nga as the DAP parliamentary leader.

Loke, at the same press conference, conveyed his appreciation to all CEC members who had expressed their confidence in him to lead the party for the next three years.

“As the new secretary-general, I want to bring an inclusive approach so that every leader plays a role in strengthening and uniting the party towards a new era of glory.

“This is the beginning of the ‘3G ’or third generation. The first generation was of Lim Kit Siang, the second generation Lim Guan Eng, who is still at the CEC to lead us and has given room to 3G leaders like me, Gobind, Steven Sim and others to jointly lead the party through the challenges that lie ahead,” he said.

He said the new committee would hold a meeting in the near future to appoint other leaders who did not have the opportunity to be members of the CEC into positions at various party bureaus.