The decision by DAP to remain in the Unity Government is sure to have left many in UMNO and the PAS-led opposition disappointed, as they would have been ready to pounce. But would it not also have let down some of the party's own frustrated supporters?
Last Sunday (August 16), DAP delegates overwhelmingly voted for the party to remain in the federal government until the end of the current parliamentary term.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the outcome gave the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) and its leaders in government a mandate to continue serving and pursuing reforms, while focusing on implementing changes and promises made in the Pakatan Harapan manifesto.
Loke defends low attendance…
For the record, out of the total votes, 1,857 delegates favored staying, while 242 voted for leaving. Meanwhile, in defending the lower turnout, Loke said that the attendance of more than half of the 4,000 eligible delegates was considered high for a DAP national congress.
He added that the decision to stay on will also prevent “political instability,” while underlining that the delegates clearly understood the current realities in the country, including the need for the party to work with UMNO as part of the Unity Government.
Interestingly, Loke also dismissed allegations from its political opponents that DAP would use the congress vote to pressure Anwar into adopting its own political agenda, saying that the reforms advocated by the party were jointly agreed upon by Pakatan Harapan and the Unity Government.
Nevertheless, several delegates had urged the party to push harder for reforms and better delivery before the parliamentary term expires.
While it cannot be denied that many among DAP’s grassroots would have accepted the decision to remain in Anwar's administration, some would have been left deeply disappointed.
In fact, Loke’s explanation of the outcome of the Congress would have also raised several uncomfortable questions:
For a start, to some, Loke may have given the impression that he was relieved—maybe even a little too happy—that the delegates voted to remain. If true, why?
To his credit, he did take pains to justify why only around half of the total eligible delegates who were supposed to attend had turned up. But then, as party leader, should he not have expressed a modicum of concern and at least tried to find out the underlying reasons, if any?
The thing is, could the absence of so many delegates actually be a silent protest against the current leadership and their perceived “kowtowing” to UMNO?
Loke further mentioned that DAP's opponents may be accusing it of using the Congress to hammer home the party's own agenda. But then, isn’t that exactly what many of its supporters would have demanded?
Did he not get the memo?
Then, of course, there is the prickly subject of why its leaders in the government have failed to rein in UMNO Youth and other right-wing elements. Does DAP not have the parliamentary numbers to flex its muscles and double down on them?
But it doesn't end there. The laundry list continues…
Why the continued silence over its very own slain comrade, Teoh Beng Hock—apart from that much-publicised, yet lame apology?
What about Pastor Raymond Koh and the other missing persons?
Why was the tenure of the popular ex-Chief Justice, Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, not extended, after having reached the mandatory retirement age?
Why did its party leaders not pressure Anwar enough to act decisively on the controversies surrounding the MACC?
These are just a few…
Perhaps the most fundamental question of all would be: did Loke and his colleagues forget that people vote for DAP because it has built its name as a fearless, disciplined party that boldly fights for the minorities, the oppressed, and the marginalised?
For sure, it's not because the party's cabinet ministers are diligent, competent and exemplary civil servants!
In fact, many may agree with Sangeet Kaur Deo who said that while she favoured the party's continued participation in the federal government, the current coalition arrangement under Anwar may have failed to unite its partners.
Echoes of Karpal Singh…
According to the outspoken delegate from the Federal Territory, instead of bringing the coalition partners together, Anwar may have actually divided them—pitting one against the other while empowering UMNO.
Sangeet stressed that DAP’s decision to remain in government should not be based merely on preserving "political stability" (the usual go-to excuse for the party's top leaders), but on using the remaining term to rebuild public trust, regain its vocal spine, and address the very issues it has been sweeping under the carpet!
She also pointed out that under the current Madani government, Malaysia may have become more divided along racial lines than ever before, while scandals relating to corruption also seemed to have escalated.
Not mincing words, Sangeet went on to nail it when she declared that DAP had remained silent because it didn’t want to rock the boat!
Is this why many top DAP leaders, save for Lim Guan Eng and a brave few, seem to be always dodging the so-called sensitive, divisive issues?
Does UMNO Youth ever talk about “political stability” whenever it attacks DAP?
Like it or not, as long as Loke and his party leaders keep hiding behind the shield of “political stability,” the public has every right to draw comparisons to its oft-despised nemesis, the MCA.
Some disappointed party supporters may even ask: in a country where identity politics is the name of the game, with UMNO and PAS often shamelessly leveraging it, is DAP not the de facto defender of the minorities here?
So rightfully, should its elected leaders not stick to their party's own agenda and fight for justice come hell or high water?
The truth is, while they have a duty to the nation, they also owe their powerful, cushy positions in government to their faithful supporters. After all, did these voters not place their trust—and their future—in the party’s own agenda rather than on Anwar's political survival?
Ultimately though, looking at the bigger picture, the decision to remain may have been the right call, especially given that GE16 may be just around the corner. But did the party leaders do enough in the Congress to convince their supporters that they will step up, return to their roots and steadfastly stand by their core principles?
Main information source: Malay Mail / Malay Mail.
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