A case of ordering capati but getting pizza instead?
Recently, in a cheeky Facebook post, maverick UMNO Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh once again generously offered to write a resignation letter for DAP stalwart Nga Kor Ming.
Strangely, this time around Akmal seemed quite gracious, though the sarcasm was unmistakable. He also kept it short and sweet—even cordial—with no mention whatsoever of his trademark "bodoh"!
Perhaps he was too embarrassed to inflict further shame on his nemesis.
Undoubtedly, the outspoken Nga is well-liked by party grassroots and is often seen as a credible, principled politician who can be very sharp and frank yet fair.
But the point is that he had publicly pledged to resign from his ministerial post if Najib Razak was released without serving a fitting sentence.
In hindsight, was it a wrong move—especially with UMNO watching his every movement like vultures?
So now that the disgraced ex-premier has been granted conditional house arrest courtesy of the Agong and the Pardons Board, don't the public have the right to expect him to step down as promised?
But horror of horrors, who ended up being thrown under the bus?
It was his own boss, Anthony Loke!
This begs the obvious question: why was Nga spared, while his party chief was placed on the altar as the sacrificial lamb?
Naturally, detractors—as well as some disappointed loyalists—will ask: is this really a principled stand, or was the gesture merely performative, like a scene from an old Tamil or Bollywood movie where the hero sacrifices his own life?
But seriously, are DAP grassroots really in the mood for a melodrama?
So again, here is the million-dollar question: Shouldn't Nga Kor Ming honor his word and step down—if only to show UMNO who the real anak jantan is?
The reality is that one's exemplary work ethics and efficiency may not be sufficient when one is a prominent public figure. This is because generally people tend to forget all your good works, but they will never forget your broken promises.
Meanwhile, as expected, the DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC) members have vehemently defended the controversial decision, claiming that their chief's resignation as Transport Minister was unavoidable for the sake of stability.
But what stability? For whom?
The truth is, the decision has proven to be polarizing, with even sections of the party's own grassroots questioning whether it was a wise move or a huge blunder.
Come to think of it, by sacrificing their top leader, will DAP really succeed in appeasing its angry base—or will it alienate them even more?
Nevertheless, it's likely that the party grassroots and supporters will eventually accept Loke's resignation—albeit grudgingly—but the question is bound to linger in their minds: why must their top general be sacrificed?
Or has DAP suddenly decided to adopt the Japanese model, where leaders resign with honor after a failure or scandal?
In a worst-case scenario, shouldn't all its ministers and deputy ministers collectively resign from the Madani government?
Wouldn't that be perceived as a far more principled stand?
Moreover, quitting the Cabinet en masse wouldn't mean leaving Anwar to fight for survival alone in the lion's den. The party’s 40 MPs could still continue to back the unity government in Parliament.
Or is DAP afraid to upset its paramount leader in Putrajaya?
It also doesn't mean that all the Chinese, Indian, and other minority communities in this country will be abandoned once DAP leaders are no longer serving as ministers.
After all, PH has a big enough pool of capable representatives from its coalition partners ready to step in to carry on with the duties.
To some, this latest episode may seem like another half-baked attempt at crisis management, just like the recent so-called "referendum" on the party's position in the current government—when barely half of the delegates had bothered to show up.
The danger is that by sacrificing Loke while the rest cling to their ministerial posts, isn't DAP unwittingly sending the wrong message—that power comes first, and principles second?
As it stands, even its loyal supporters may be forced to admit that from once being fiery fighters for truth and justice, their leaders have now settled into being diligent, competent—yet obedient—civil servants!
But knowing DAP diehards, won't they be expecting their top leader to remain and fight on like a fearless lion—just as Karpal Singh and Lim Kit Siang did in the past?
Ultimately, here is the uncomfortable question many will be asking: did DAP really have to offer its own party chief as a "martyr" just to save Anwar's government, when it is UMNO that should have been laid on the altar and "sacrificed"?
Main information source: Akmal Saleh Facebook and NST.
JK Joseph (jtkingsworld@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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