Keeping it real: Sim making a point during the interview at The Star Pitt Street in George Town, Penang. — KT GOH/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: When Steven Sim took over the reign of Penang DAP last September, it was a fresh start after a tumultuous year of infighting and factionalism within its ranks.The animosity was believed to be between Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and his predecessor Lim Guan Eng.
Just last October, Lim, who is DAP national chairman, had slammed Chow for giving a “false picture” of a plot to remove the latter as Chief Minister.
It was the first time that Lim issued a statement on the matter, coming a few days after Chow had alluded to the plot during a dinner at the Heng Ee Alumni Association.
Sim, 42, stressed that it was normal to have differences in any political party.
“In every organisation or political party, you’ll have disagreements.
“In terms of opinion, there may be differences. But in terms of values or our struggle, I strongly believe the party is united.
“At the end of the day, our obsession must not be on internal power struggles,” he said during an exclusive interview with The Star.
Three months into his tenure, has the true-blue Penang boy been able to give the party a big shake up? Not yet.
Born in Bukit Mertajam, Sim has big shoes to fill if he is to outdo his two predecessors – Lim and Chow – both who are not from Penang.
The state DAP chief shared his 100-day report card which emphasised meeting the people on the ground to get their feedback.“For instance, in my area in Bukit Mertajam, the members also had engagements with the public.
“We’ve had three dialogue sessions with the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Penang Chinese Town Hall and Indian Chamber of Commerce.
“We want to engage with the people of Penang in general,” he said.
Sim reminded DAP members that it must remain the party of the people.
“Go to them, listen to them. Before the people come to you, you go to them,” he said.
Asked if the party has started to gear up for the 16th General Election, Sim, who is also the Human Resources Minister, said, “I like this question because people asked me, ‘When is your campaign? Is it the final 100 days, six months or one year?’
“I tell all my people here, our campaign starts the day after balloting day.
“You must start working. And in Penang, we have the advantage.
“We are the government in the state and now, of course, we are also in the federal administration.”
Sim, who is one of the youngest ministers in the Cabinet, acknowledged that working hard alone would not guarantee victory for the party.
“During the polls, the situation might change.
“You need different strategies for each election,” he said, adding that his strategy is ‘Dalam kukuh, luar kuat’ (Internally solid, externally strong).
