For decades, Malaysia’s Democratic Action Party (DAP) has stood as a pillar in the nation’s political arena, being a multi-racial party widely recognized as a champion of non-Malay rights. With a stronghold in Penang, DAP's influence in the state is reminiscent of GERAKAN’s dominance during its peak. This parallel raises a critical question: Is DAP on the same trajectory as GERAKAN, destined to lose its appeal and influence among its core supporters?
The Legacies of Pioneer Leaders
Tan Sri Dr. Tan Chee Khoon, co-founder of GERAKAN, Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang, DAP's supremo, and Dato' Seri Karpal Singh, DAP's legendary veteran, have left indelible marks on Malaysia’s political history. These prominent opposition leaders of a bygone era navigated their parties through challenging periods, securing their relevance and prominence.
Tan Chee Khoon, synonymous with the moniker "Mr. Opposition," led GERAKAN during its early years as a party for the people, advocating for multi-racial unity. Similarly, Lim Kit Siang’s DAP has long promoted a multi-racial ideology, becoming the voice of the Chinese community and other non-Malays, often standing in opposition to the Malay-centric political establishment.
However, Tan Chee Khoon’s decision to leave GERAKAN due to differences over the party’s direction, especially after it joined the ruling Alliance coalition in 1972, set GERAKAN on a different path. His departure, followed by Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu’s leadership, marked a significant shift. Chong Eu took GERAKAN into the Alliance (later Barisan Nasional) with the belief that Penang needed federal support for its development. While strategic, this decision planted the seeds of GERAKAN’s eventual decline as the party evolved through leadership transitions.
Power and Compromise: The DAP-GERAKAN Dilemma
GERAKAN’s influence peaked as part of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, with significant control over Penang. However, its decline began when it was perceived as too accommodating to BN’s pro-Malay policies, leading to disillusionment among its supporters. Today, DAP faces a similar dilemma. As a key player within the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, DAP is increasingly seen as compromising on its core principles, especially regarding non-Malay issues.
DAP’s role within the PH government, particularly in Penang, has brought power but also the need for compromise. The party’s support for policies perceived to favor the majority community has sparked criticism from its grassroots members. Despite holding 40 parliamentary seats, DAP has been criticized for not leveraging its influence to secure more significant positions within the government or to challenge policies that marginalize non-Malays.
Leadership Transition: From Dominance to Decline?
The transition from dominant founding leaders to more subdued successors is another parallel between GERAKAN and DAP. After Tan Chee Khoon and Lim Chong Eu, GERAKAN struggled to maintain its political edge, ultimately fading into obscurity. Similarly, Lim Kit Siang’s departure from DAP’s leadership has raised concerns about the party’s ability to maintain its strong stance on non-Malay issues under new, less assertive leaders.
The Crossroads: DAP’s Uncertain Future
The PH coalition, which currently anchors Malaysia’s government, relies heavily on non-Malay support, particularly from DAP and PKR. However, growing doubts surround these parties' ability to continue defending and advancing non-Malay interests. Dissatisfaction among non-Malays with DAP’s perceived subservience to Malay-Muslim political dominance is becoming more pronounced as the party remains silent on non-Malay issues and the slow pace of its reform agenda to uplift them, despite holding government positions to influence policies for fair and just governance.
Once the bastion of non-Malay rights, DAP is now seen by some as a toothless entity within the government. The very community it once fiercely protected may begin to seek alternatives as the party continues to compromise.
Will History Repeat Itself?
The parallels between GERAKAN and DAP are too significant to ignore. GERAKAN’s downfall was precipitated by its inability to balance coalition politics with the expectations of its supporters. DAP now faces a similar challenge. The question is whether it will adapt and maintain its relevance or follow GERAKAN into political irrelevance.
As Malaysia’s political landscape evolves, the non-Malay community, particularly the Chinese, may reconsider their loyalty to PH and DAP. The fear of Perikatan Nasional (PN) coming to power, especially with PAS in the fold, has kept many Chinese voters within the PH camp. However, if DAP continues on its current path, it risks becoming another relic of Malaysia’s political past.
The future of DAP hangs in the balance. Will it chart a new course and avoid GERAKAN’s fate, or will it succumb to the same decline? Only time will tell.
By: Kpost
Information Source: FocusMalaysia
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