Teo Nie Ching insists Johor DAP won’t dictate, delegates hold Cabinet fate in Sunday congress

KULAI, Aug 14 — Johor DAP delegates are free to decide whether the party’s leaders should remain in government posts, including the federal Cabinet, or relinquish those positions while continuing to support Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, ahead of the special congress this Sunday.

Johor DAP chief Teo Nie Ching said the state leadership is leaving it to more than 400 delegates, who have the freedom to make decisions based on their respective views and understanding of the party’s direction.

“In Johor, the state party does not have a single position or stance on the matter. We give the freedom to the delegates or representatives to make that decision at DAP’s national congress this Sunday.

“Johor DAP even held a dialogue session yesterday with party’s secretary-general Anthony Loke to explain the issue. 

“Regardless of the session, the party’s state leadership chose to give delegates the freedom to make their own decisions,” she told reporters after attending an allocation handover event at Sekolah Kebangsaan Murni Jaya here today.

Teo, who is also the DAP’s national vice chairman, was responding to media queries on the party’s Johor state decision ahead of the national congress that is expected to determine whether the party should remain in the government.

It was previously reported that a motion on the decision would be tabled by more than 4,000 delegates at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) in Putrajaya.

Teo, who is also the Kulai MP, said that Johor DAP would accept and abide by any decision made at the congress.

She said Johor is one of the states with a fairly high representation among delegates attending.

“I believe there are members who can represent their respective branches and understand the situation based on the party’s struggle and principles.

“I am of the opinion that they will make the right call based on the party’s direction and the country,” she said.

DAP’s congress this Sunday at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) is expected to focus on the party’s position in the federal unity government.

The congress comes amid growing debate over slow reforms and electoral setbacks within the party, including whether it should remain part of the administration under Anwar.