KUALA LUMPUR — Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching has been elected chairman of Johor DAP, the first woman to lead the state chapter.
Teo, who is also the Deputy Communications Minister, was elected by the top 15 candidates who won the most number of votes from delegates during the Johor DAP elections held today.
Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi was appointed as the state chapter’s deputy chairman.
In a statement, Teo, who is also Wanita DAP chief, thanked the newly elected 15-person state committee for placing their trust in her by making her the state DAP’s top leader.
She also thanked outgoing state party chairman Liew Chin Tong for his role in strengthening and leading Johor DAP for the past decade, crediting him with transforming the state chapter “from a grocery to a supermarket” with his vision and strategic leadership.
“His contributions are truly exceptional, and I am fully aware that I have big shoes to fill.
“Leading this team will certainly be a challenge, (but) I am committed to carrying forward his efforts with the same dedication,” she said.
Teo also said it is a huge honour for her to serve as the first woman chair of Johor DAP, and that she is proud to join the ranks of only two other women state heads in the party’s history.
“I am particularly proud to highlight that out of 20 (state) committee members, nine are women, representing 45% of the state committee. These women are not just token representatives but entrusted with key portfolios to lead.
“This is a clear demonstration of gender mainstreaming and stands as a testament to Johor DAP, reflecting our party’s steadfast commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women in leadership roles,” she added.
According to news reports, Teo garnered the third-most votes with 692 in today’s party elections, after Iskandar Puteri city councilor Ng Siam Luang (762) and three-term Stulang assemblyman Andrew Chen (717).
Teo has Liew’s endorsement to succeed him as state party chief, as he was reported saying earlier today at the convention that the time was ripe for leadership change in Johor DAP, and that he would nominate Teo if he was re-elected to the state committee. – October 6, 2024