Should the cabinet withdrawal become a reality, won't DAP lose whatever influence and authority it has to safeguard the rights of the minorities here, and to carry their hopes for a just and fair society?
Last Friday (20 February) it was reported that DAP will convene a special congress on July 12 to decide whether its leaders should relinquish all government positions – including ministerial and councillor appointments.
Describing it as a landmark “referendum”, party secretary-general Anthony Loke said that more than 4,000 central delegates were expected to vote on the direction of the party.
However, according to him, regardless of the outcome, its 40 Members of Parliament would continue to back the government led by prime minister Anwar Ibrahim until the next general election.
While the decision to conduct what is essentially a “soul-searching” exercise may be laudable, it has also sparked serious concerns about the party's actual goal and whether it could turn out to be counterproductive to the aspirations of the party and its loyal supporters.
Furthermore, by entrusting the delegates to make a “collective decision” wouldn't some perceive it to be a veiled attempt by the party's top leadership to evade responsibility by passing the buck to others? In fact, shouldn't its top hierarchy take the lead by being fully accountable for making such a key decision?
Ironically, won't DAP's action also be mocked by some as taking a leaf out of MIC's own playbook?
Admittedly, the dynamics of a unity government “appointed” by the king are an entirely different kettle of fish when compared to a traditional one “elected” by majority. Still, has DAP truly lived up to its reputation as a no-nonsense, credible force for checks and balances?
No doubt, many will recall the disturbing incident where UMNO Youth chief Akmal Saleh insulted the party's senior leader Teresa Kok by allegedly calling her “Nyonya tua” while threatening to fix a halal sticker on her forehead; but where were the DAP's top dogs then? Shouldn't they have put their foot down and demanded that PMX use his extensive powers to censure a junior leader of a coalition partner?
Or as the more cynical elements in the party may ask: is the impending referendum merely designed for optics – to prove to the public and its party faithful that DAP is a party that staunchly stands by its principles?
But what's the use of issuing an ultimatum on the basis of “principles" when it doesn't benefit the people – least of all its own long-suffering supporters?
The most obvious question though would be: in the event they “surrender” their important government positions, yet continue to support Anwar's government, what exactly would DAP achieve? Wouldn't it only make it easier for other aspiring – but less qualified – politicians in the coalition, especially from their nemesis UMNO, to assume important ministerial posts?
A political hara-kiri…?
Wouldn't such a move also be seen as gifting a senseless “walkover” to its political foe UMNO? In fact, it's likely that the nationalist party would stand to gain most from the huge windfall should DAP withdraw its leaders from Putrajaya.
Truth be told, in the eyes of many, DAP ministers have generally performed well – even earning plaudits from the rulers. So the crux of the issue here may not be about its leaders having to step up to perform better in their administrative roles.
Isn't the crisis more to do with its credibility?
Instead, the primary criticism of the party has been that they haven't been assertive enough to ensure that promised reforms are carried out promptly. More crucially, it could be their perceived failure to protect minority rights from being trampled upon wilfully by their political rivals.
In fact, DAP has been slammed for its somewhat muted response to controversies with clear racial undertones, such as the KK Mart boycott, the beer sponsorship in schools, the halal certification flare up and the furore over upside down flags. If anything, weren't these the underlying reasons why the party had begun to lose its credibility in the eyes of its own base?
”Let cool heads to prevail” – but for how long?
Significantly, one common grouse is that DAP has not applied pressure on PMX to rein in the endless antics of UMNO Youth, which is often perceived to be blatantly amplifying ethno-religious issues.
In that context, shouldn't it be clear by now that what its supporters want is for DAP to be more vocal and valiantly fight for what is right and fair for the people?
When the hardware shop owner in Penang who had genuinely blundered by hanging the national flag upside down was hounded and bullied by a mob headed by hostile leaders from its own unity government component party, where was the DAP leadership?
If DAP can't even protect a solitary citizen from the clutches of alleged “racist bullies”, how can it be relied upon to protect the broader rights and dignity of minority communities?
Perhaps, some of its critics may also be entitled to say that instead of giving up just its government posts, why not give up everything – including withdrawing its support for Anwar's government; after all, what difference would it make?
In reality, DAP has the largest number of lawmakers in the unity government, yet why isn't it using the numerical advantage to speak up strongly on the “wrongs” perpetrated in the country? While some of its leaders such as Lim Guan Eng, Ramkarpal Singh, RS Rayer and others have continued to uphold the fiery DAP spirit, can the same be said of those holding “powerful” cabinet posts?
Meanwhile, its latest decision to hold the July referendum may also be construed by some as a “knee-jerk response” to its abysmal showing in the recent Sabah state elections. Perhaps, it had misread the real causes for the voters there shunning the party – a case of missing the wood for the trees?
In short, has DAP's highest leadership lost its famed ability to feel the pulse of the people?
Finally, on the issue of sticking to party principles, while it may be considered an honorable act, should it be at the expense of those who have placed their future in the party's hands by voting for it in the last general elections?
At the end of the day, perhaps, what the DAP leadership should realize is that a political party is elected by the public to safeguard their Constitutional rights and legitimate interests. In other words, come hell or high water, it is duty-bound to fight for them – till the end!
Nevertheless, should DAP choose the “easy way” out by withdrawing its leaders from all unity government posts this July, what guarantee is there that its supporters will vote for it again in the impending GE16? In fact, wouldn't some of its frustrated members also argue: why should people vote for “losers” who have thrown in the towel and abandoned them – after promising so much?
Main information source: Malay Mail, Scoop and Malaysiakini.
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