KUALA LUMPUR: DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook is looking forward to a major revamp in the central executive committee (CEC) line-up after party polls this Sunday.

The major revamp is not targeted at positions but re-alignment of the entire team to ensure that the party leadership is able to meet demand in the future.

“There will be two criteria provided that I am still the secretary-general and who are the new CEC members.

“I am looking forward to re-arrange and mobilise them to play different roles,’’ said Loke in a joint interview with Chinese media at DAP headquarters on Friday.

Loke is confident that he will still be the secretary-general with support from the CEC.

“I hope to create the strongest leadership this round but it will depend on the outcome of party election,’’ he said, adding that as several existing CEC members do not seek re-election, there will be new faces joining the party leadership.

Instead of placing focus on individuals, the DAP polls should focus on charting the party’s direction and prepare for the next general election, he said.

“In the past one month, the focus has been on party chairman (Lim Guan Eng). I think this is unfair to him.

“Party election is not about an individual but the future of DAP and the challenges ahead,” said Loke.

Loke pointed out that the new leadership – line-up of elected central executive committee (CEC) members – will directly impact DAP’s strategy in the next general election.

“The general election will be held before the next party election in March 2028. The new leadership will be leading DAP in the general election,” he said.

DAP will be participating in the election in its capacity as a component of the ruling government, unlike in the past when it was always an opposition party.

“We are confident that the Unity Government will continue to rule. All coalition members have taken a common stand of defending the incumbent government,” he said.

A total of 69 candidates are vying for the 30 slots of central executive committee in this Sunday’s DAP election.

The 30 CEC members will then elect leaders such as secretary-general, chairman and other key positions.

Edmund Teoh, Teresa Kok’s former aide who was remanded by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the purchase of smartboards, has resigned from all party posts and has also pulled out from party polls.

Teoh, the Federal Territories DAP publicity secretary, was in the race with his former boss Kok.

“The decision has been made in the best interest of all parties involved, and I stand by it with conviction and integrity,” he said in a statement.

“I categorically refute all accusations made against me. These claims are baseless, politically motivated, and entirely without merit,” he added.

Teoh, who has been with the DAP for 18 years, stressed his commitment to the party, saying he had served with dedication, loyalty, and integrity.