ROS perceived as ‘bullying’ DAP

Though the ROS has the authority to ensure parties abide guidelines and internal constitution, it should not be seen as ‘victimising’ them

BUKIT MERTAJAM: The action by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to ‘haunt’ DAP over its last year’s controversial election of central executive committee (CEC)members, would only endear the party more to the public, said a DAP veteran here.

DAP’s popularity will continue to ascend, especially among the young, as people perceive ROS’ actions as bullying the party, DAP veteran K. Gunabalan says.

According to Gunabalan, who is the Jalan Tembikai DAP branch chairman, the ROS opines that it was merely executing its legal authority to reprimand or penalise the socialist party over the botched CEC election last year.

ROS has the authority to check on political organisations and it is seen as a watchdog in ensuring that the parties abide by guidelines and their own respective internal constitutions, but the demeanor on how ROS reacted to DAP, is a telling factor that the registrar is seen as ‘bullying’ the DAP, he said in an interview.

As the mainstream media is silenced, Malaysians by large have taken to the alternative media (internet based) to obtain latest political information and other socio-economic developments, he said.

Nevertheless in the alternative media, there is a tendency to carry more news based on perception rather than on facts; as they too seek favorable ratings and support to stay afloat, said Gunabalan.

This phenomena in the alternative media has indeed projected DAP as being the ‘victim’ rather than a guilty party.

Bury the hatchet and move on

Anyway, whatever the outcome, DAP has emerged as victorious in the disagreement with ROS over how it should reconvene its CEC elections, Gunabalan said.

The controversy surrounding tomorrow’s new election has dragged on as the ROS is uncertain if the CEC election can be held under the definition of ‘special congress’ instead of ‘national’.

To this, Gunabalan urged the ROS to set aside the issue, as DAP is already acting on its earlier order to reconvene a fresh CEC election.

Furthermore, the party has decided not to challenge the ROS in court, nor has there been any attempt to undermine the authority of the registrar, he said.

For fear of de-registration and in preserving the sanctity and existence of the party, DAP leaders have refrained from objecting too much to the ROS, although there were minor complaints which were reported due to the ‘frustration,’ involved, he said.

“The issue has lingered on for long. People are keener to know about our household debts and the rise of living costs rather than on who is elected.”

He hopes both sides can bury the hatchet, and move on in serving the nation.

On his prediction for the CEC office bearers, Gunabalan speculated that it should largely be a status quo, as the DAP leaders are tired and they need to recover from a heated campaign during last May’s general election.

“I think party delegates and leaders are conserving their energy for future battles, not for an internal discourse about who is better or whether there is a need to compete with the various factions.”

There is consensuses that DAP’s ‘big three’, namely Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng and Karpal Singh should be allowed to continue with the struggle for a better Malaysia.