Amid DAP’s downturn, its Indian leaders reminded to “speak less but render more action”

 

IN the recent 17th Sabah state election, DAP achieved what is seemingly an impossible feat: a perfect score of zero.

All eight seats they contested were gone with the wind in a single instance. Wiped out. Obliterated. If that is not a resounding rejection from Sabahans, what is it then?

Clearly, voters have grown tired of the party’s signature blend of loud speeches and zero delivery.

Since 1966, DAP has styled itself as the fearless voice of the people – a self-declared crusader for justice – who performed well as an opposition.

But give them actual power, and suddenly the volume drops, the promises vanish and the results? Well, let’s just say they’re as hollow as their slogans.

Even while in government, DAP lawmakers still prefer to play the role of opposition – issuing press statements and asking questions through the media like they’re still warming the backbenches.

Old habits die hard, it seems.

Support for DAP is now in freefall. Even their once-loyal supporters are waking up from the fairy tale realising that they have been sold dreams with no expiry date—because they were never real to begin with.

‘Look at the mirror first’

Is DAP still a beacon of hope?

Take for example two generations of DAP leaders, namely Perak state executive councillor Sivanesan Achalingam, 69, and 37-year-old Buntong state assemblywoman Thulsi Manogaran.

They never miss a chance to lob grenades at MIC but seem to have misplaced their own mirrors.

Sungkai MP Sivanesan who once proudly advised the Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad to reject MIC appointments now struggles to explain why temple land issues in Perak remain unresolved under his watch.

Thulsi, meanwhile, is busy throwing rhetorical punches at MIC. But before she sprains her arm patting herself on the back, perhaps she should ask: has DAP delivered anything it promised?

Remember those 10 grand promises to be delivered within 100 days that DAP made during Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) reign? Let’s recap some:

• Abolish the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) blacklist? Nope.
• One million jobs? Still waiting.
• And the 300,000 stateless Malaysian Indians DAP loved to parade as a political talking point? Still stateless.

Where are Sivanesan, Deputy Law and Institutional Reforms Minister M. Kulasegaran and Thulsi when the Indian community needed answers?

Probably drafting their next anti-MIC soundbite.

DAP excels at shouting from the sidelines. But give them the keys to the house and suddenly they forget how doors work. Perhaps they’re just more comfortable in opposition where accountability is optional and promises are theoretical.

Maybe it’s time they embraced silence. After all, every time they speak, they only remind us how little they have done. 

M. Vivekananthan is the aide to Tapah MP and MIC’s deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia.