Ramasamy peeps into prospect of a DAP turnaround after “re-awakening” from its deep slumber

 

DAP leaders having Rip Van Winkled for more than three years have finally realised that the party is being subjugated by other political forces aligned to the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led coalition.

The Sabah state election which resulted in DAP emerging empty handed from the eight seats it contested – despite being incumbents in six of the seats – was an eye-opener.

Whether the present re-awakening of DAP can reverse its political fortunes not only in Sabah but also the peninsula remains to be seen.

What was most unacceptable was not such much the loss but the desertion of its traditional Chinese supporters.

The Chinese Tsunami against the DAP might have far reaching geographical effect although sone political commentators tend to see it as only confined to Sabah

Nevertheless, the shock of DAP being wiped out in Sabah has led to some its leaders urging the Madani government helmed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to implement viable reforms.

The PH-led coalition came to power in 2022 with the promise of grandiose PMX mantra of far-reaching reforms.

‘Sudden Indian community embrace’

However, the coalition’s last three years in power has revealed that such reform agenda has been side-stepped and forgotten.

The need to stay in power and to prolong its stay has become the sole pre-occupation of the ruling coalition.

The party’s secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook’s promise of reforms to avert the growing unpopularity of DAP has fallen on the deaf ears of Anwar.

Having subdued the DAP, Anwar is least bothered about the grievances aired by the party leaders.

Meanwhile, some DAP Indian leaders who are aware of the growing disenchantment of Indians towards the ruling coalition and its partners like DAP are beginning to speak on behalf of the community.

One leader marched along with aggrieved Ipoh kindergarten teacher M. Indira Gandhi to unsuccessfully meet up with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Datuk Seri Khalid Ismail in Bukit Aman..

Another DAP Cabinet minister spoke about the extra-judicial killings of Indians by the police.

An MP in Penang who never bothered about the problems of the Indian community called for the temporary suspension of SOSMA until amendments are passed in the Parliament.

It soon became clear that he was not speaking on behalf of the Indian community but his clients who were the family members of those detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 a.k.a. SOSMA.

In other words, he sought to represent his paying clients rather than genuinely take up the case of arbitrary arrests and detentions under the dreaded SOSMA.

In same path as UMNO, MCA, MIC

There is feeling among some DAP leaders that taking up a few society-related matters might ingratiate the party with the public especially the subaltern sections.

Unknown to the pretensions of these leaders and others, working in spurts is hardly the way to revive DAP.

Essentially, DAP is victim of generational changes. What appealed to the earlier generations when DAP was in the opposition might be different to the appeals of the present generation especially when DAP is in power.

Already heavily ensconced in power, positions and perks, today’s party leaders might not be under the same political, social and cultural circumstances of its yesteryear popularity.

It took the MCA, MIC, Gerakan and UMNO a few decades in power to witness their political decline. The logic of history is going to be the same for DAP – the vicious cycle trap.

Holding power is both enthralling and dangerous. The longer DAP stays in power, the faster the party is going to go down the path of no return.

It is said that a candle burns the brightest before it fades away to be extinguished. This analogy fits the demise of political parties such as the MCA, MIC and UMNO with now DAP walking a similar path. 

Former DAP stalwart and Penang deputy chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.

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

- Focus Malaysia.