Be advised, DAP leaders - don’t get personal

 

Just when we thought that the DAP was the only political party left with no serious nagging issues, came their sick and immature public display of internal politicking this past week.

Oh dear, surely the DAP can do better than this. Over the past few days, some party leaders must have relished taking potshots at each other. Alas, that seemed to be the case when strongly-worded terms are used gleefully in attacking party colleagues.

However, those outside the party, DAP supporters, in particular, must surely want to tell those responsible that they should be ashamed of their mischievous behaviour in public. Why mischievous? Because this whole name-calling circus was unnecessary and unwarranted.

That some partaking in the ugly episode comprise those who are supposedly more professional and disciplined added to the disappointment among DAP supporters. What were people like Tony Pua and Hannah Yeoh thinking? Why the need to engage in a public “shouting match” with party colleague Ronnie Liu?

Has a “Chinese chauvinist versus multi-racial” war started in the DAP? Is this what the recent commotion all about?

Let me respond to that question myself.

In all honesty, this is how I see it. It isn’t really about the issues at play, that’s for sure. There is nothing new nor controversial that I can see in this “Chinese vs Multi-racial” debate which purportedly caused the uproar.

Why? Last I checked, DAP is still a Chinese-based party and an urban-centric outfit. Of course, it is a multi-racial party - that was clear from Day One as inscribed in the party’s constitution. But top leaders of the party today are still almost all Chinese.

It’s noteworthy that DAP has made immense efforts over the years to attract non-Chinese members and it has succeeded to a certain extent. At least, we see some Malay lawmakers in the party today. Thanks too, to leaders like Pua and his team for their work on this front.

Now, let me pose this question - is DAP serious about projecting a more multi-racial image? If so, what about putting up a non-Chinese (Gobind Singh Deo perhaps or anyone) to succeed Lim Guan Eng as secretary-general?

A son of Karpal Singh is just as eligible and qualified as a son of Lim Kit Siang to be the DAP secretary-general, isn’t it? If not, why not? Is race the issue here? Is Gobind’s skin colour the obstacle? If so, say it, DAP. (This is something for the “Multi-racial” group to chew on as well.)

If the DAP top brass is not prepared for that to happen, then it will continue to be seen as a Chinese-based party (some prefer to slam DAP as “Chinese chauvinist”; no one can stop them) for a long, long time to come. That is being honest and real, despite and in spite of what some in DAP might claim otherwise.

If it’s still about a Chinese holding the top DAP post, then even dear Lim Kit Siang will have to continue dreaming the Malaysian dream which he would not see fulfilled in his lifetime. Add me to that list of dreamers.

(From left) DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang with Teresa Kok and Lim Guan Eng at a party congress

PKR is also multi-racial, but do not expect to see a non-Malay as its president, not in the foreseeable future. PKR is a party that will jealously guard its Malay identity (“Malayness”) and there is nothing wrong with that.

So, what is so wrong with Liu stating that DAP must not dilute its Chineseness? I see nothing wrong with that statement too.

Warring factions

As I see it, differences on such issues within the party are just excuses (others view them as “reasons”) for warring factions in the DAP to have a go at each other. This is one unhealthy trend which the party can do without.

Call this normal during party elections or business as usual in the heat of contests, but once things get personal, it will turn ugly and dirty. Chances are the bad blood will soon spiral out of control.

DAP leaders, young and old, senior or junior, be wary along the route some of you are taking. Watch your steps. As you jostle for positions within your branch or at the state level, bear in mind that getting personal and indulging in personal attacks will eventually lead to the destruction of the party.

Do not pretend that it won’t. There is no such thing as a friendly contest in a party election anymore when personal prejudices are involved.

This is about power and position and your chance to remain or be chosen as the party electoral candidate. You will never admit that you are wrong or concede that you have erred. Be honest about it. Your political career is at stake here.

In the latest episode, it is not about one person advocating that the DAP should not dilute its “Chineseness” or another insisting that the way forward for the party is via "Bangsa Malaysia" or "multiracial".

I’m more worried it is personal and I have no reason to believe it is not, no matter the denials from the personalities involved.

Liu has brushed off criticisms by Pua and Yeoh of his “Chineseness” comments, saying that the reactions revealed a personal prejudice against him.

I tend to believe that is true.

Why? Because Pua’s statement that “Ronnie Liu is the Chinese chauvinist that DAP does not need," is very personal.

“Such a position will not only set us back many decades but will sound a death knell for the party going forward,” Pua added. Those are very strong words indeed against a party colleague!

DAP leaders (from left) Gobind Singh Deo, Tony Pua and Hannah Yeoh

And how did Yeoh tick off Liu?

She responded: "Liu does not represent me. The DAP that Liu desires is not the DAP that I joined. Isn't this a toxic and narrow-minded view?" This is also a personal affront which was unnecessary.

I would have thought that Pua and Yeoh could have voiced their disagreement with Liu by revealing what they desire for DAP instead of going on a Liu-bashing tirade. This reflected very negatively on them as senior party leaders.

Pua and Yeoh should remember this quote from a wise man: “A tiger doesn’t lose sleep over the opinion of sheep”.

I hope to hear of less factionalism and internal feuding rearing its ugly head as the DAP party elections move along in the days and weeks ahead.

To DAP leaders, watch your tongue. Don’t get personal with party colleagues and disappoint your supporters. DAP people loathe seeing their leaders playing tai chi in public. - Mkini

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FRANCIS PAUL SIAH is the author of ‘Hijack in Malaysia: The Fall of Pakatan Harapan’. Obtain autographed copies from sirsiah@gmail.com.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.