DAP unlikely to become ‘lapdog’ of PKR, says analyst

 

The results of DAP’s election show it is brave enough to make major changes within its leadership, says Hisommudin Bakar of Ilham Centre.

PETALING JAYA: 

The way Pakatan Harapan is structured makes it highly unlikely that DAP will end up becoming PKR’s “lapdog”, something MCA was accused of in the previous Barisan Nasional government, an analyst said.

James Chin of the University of Tasmania said PKR does not dominate the current unity government nor the Pakatan Harapan coalition in the way Umno controlled the BN administration.

Chin told FMT that MCA was labelled Umno’s “lapdog” as its leaders were heavily involved in business in the 1980s and 1990s, resulting in the party being known as the “party of towkays”.

“This made it easy for Umno to control them,” he said.

James Chin.

Chin said DAP is still recognised for its strong stand against corruption, kleptocracy and scandals, while continuing to advocate for the Chinese community.

He was responding to Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi’s claim that DAP would share MCA’s fate in government, and would eventually see a decline in support and influence.

Puad said Malaysians, and DAP’s own members, are now in a position to assess the party’s performance in government more accurately and see if its actions align with its promises.

He pointed to the outcome of DAP’s election on Sunday, as heavyweights like Loke Siew Fook and Lim Guan Eng saw a decline in support despite still making the central executive committee.

Loke obtained the third highest number of votes during the 2022 election, but dropped to fifth this time around after garnering 2,508. Lim dropped from eighth in 2022 to 26th on Sunday, after pulling in 1,719 votes.

Young voters still back DAP

Hisommudin Bakar.

Hisommudin Bakar of Ilham Centre agreed that the DAP was unlikely to suffer the same fate as MCA, as the party still has the support of young voters.

“The younger generation has rejected MCA, just as Malay youths have turned away from Umno,” he told FMT.

Hisommudin said the generational divide started after the 2008 general election, when BN lost its two-thirds majority in Parliament.

“Since then, MCA and Umno have seen their support decline in stages, as many voters feel BN no longer represents their interests,” he added.

Hisommudin said the results of DAP’s election showed it was brave enough to make large changes within its leadership.

“These changes show the party is ready for reform as it approaches the 16th general election, in alignment with what the younger generation wants,” said Hisommudin. - FMT