Aziz Bari creates history of sorts
> ‘My win in Perak DAP polls reflects wave of change’
IPOH: Perak executive councillor and Tebing Tinggi assemblyman Abdul Aziz Bari, who defied all odds to poll the highest number of votes in the state DAP committee election, described the results not as history in the making but a wave of change.
“During the Selangor state elections in the past it was a challenge for Malay and Indian candidates to win.
“The results of the polls in Perak saw the wave of change where 890 out of 1,303 delegates, or 70%, chose a Malay leader.
“I am not sure whether the late Karpal Singh, P. Patto and V. David had won big in party elections. I am not a leader of their calibre,” he said in a statement.
During the polls in Selangor, Abdul Aziz did not qualify to contest but was appointed a member in the committee.
“As far as I know this is the first time that a Malay candidate who is not a well-known political figure received the highest votes, more so after becoming a DAP member only for three years.
“Based on the success in the 14th general election, the changes in the party is focused on the grassroots rather than solely on voices of leaders.
“Democracy has taken root in the party with members brave enough to send a signal of change to the leadership,” said Abdul Aziz, who was appointed as one of the vice-chairmen.
“The winning and losing candidates have analysed the message sent out by the delegates through the ballot box.”
The election held in Taiping on Sunday saw Abdul Aziz, a constitutional law expert, topping the list. A total of 24 candidates contested for the 15 committee posts.
Nga Kor Ming, who is Perak DAP chairman and Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker, was in seventh spot after he received 701 votes while Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham, who is Perak assembly speaker, polled 667 votes to finish 10th.
Finishing closely behind Abdul Aziz was another exco member and Pantai Remis assemblyman Wong May Ing, who polled 886 votes.
PERAK DAP OFFICE-BEARERS
Chairman: Nga Kor Ming Deputy chairman: V. Sivakumar Vice-chairmen: Abdul Aziz Bari, A. Sivanesan Secretary: Wong Kah Woh Assistant secretary: Ong Boon Piow Treasurer: Yong Chong King Assistant treasurer: Leong Cheok Ken Organising secretary: Teh Kok Lim Assistant organising secretaries: A. Sivasubramaniam, Leow Thye Yih Publicity secretary: Chong Zhemin Political education bureau director: Loh Sze Yee.