Penang DAP sessions with key leaders shelved, members disappointed

The much anticipated DAP closed-door dialogue sessions with key leaders slated for this Sunday (in George Town) and Monday (in Bukit Mertajam) have been shelved until further notice.

State DAP secretary Lim Hui Ying (above) said the sessions are being postponed to allow DAP leaders to be in Sandakan for the by-election nomination which falls on April 27.

"This is to allow them to give full support to the DAP Sandakan team during nomination day," added the senator.

Asked when are the new dates for the sessions, Hui Ying said they have not been decided yet.

Key leaders like Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo, Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran and Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh were expected to join the sessions.

They were supposed to be asked tough questions on the government's decision to hold back several reforms, which the rakyat had considered "U-turns" from what was promised in Pakatan Harapan's GE14 manifesto. 

Meanwhile, some members appear to be disappointed by the postponement as they were looking forward to the event, which would allow them to question their leaders. 

The party's Jalan Tembikai branch leader Joshua Woo said he was looking forward to the two sessions, as they are platforms for DAP members to interact with top leaders.

"The consideration to postpone the dialogues came after the announcement of the Sandakan nomination day.

"Now, Penang DAP has to re-arrange the two sessions, which is not easy as we need to get all our ministers' schedules (co-ordinated).

"We have to wait for the new dates and now it's difficult to get the ministers' date and time because of the upcoming Ramadan period and Aidilfitri celebrations," Woo said.

Very positive outcome

Woo recalled that previous similar sessions they had (on a smaller scale) were good and the outcomes were very positive. 

"This was when DAP members were updated with changes and the positive impact our leaders were making at the federal level," he said.

A young DAP grassroots member, who only wanted to be known as Sam, said the postponement of the dialogue sessions was "very disappointing and sad".

"Many of my comrades and new members were looking forward to the meeting as they would like to share concerns and problems in relation to the current federal administration," he said.

"I hope the top leaders can stop making U-turn statements as their credibility is at stake and it makes our work very difficult when explaining to the public about what our government is thinking.

"I hope they don't over-promise the grassroots as many of them are very unhappy with the things they are doing right now," Sam added. 

But DAP Bukit Tambun chief Teo Seang Hooi said although he was disappointed at the turn of events, he fully understood the need to postpone the meetings until after the Sandakan by-election.

He said the Sandakan by-election was totally unexpected and DAP must make sure it can retain the seat.

"It will be an acid test for DAP to prove to Malaysians at large and its allies in Pakatan Harapan that the party's political credibility is as coherent, if not stronger, as before GE14. said the former Seberang Jaya municipal councillor.

"Therefore, Penang DAP members should understand this and not make the postponement an issue," said the former Seberang Jaya municipal councillor. - Mkini