Ramasamy snubs DAP’s deafening silence on reform deadline amidst UMNO Youth’s revolt

 

AMID talks over UMNO Youth urging its parent party to leave the fold of the Madani government, DAP – UMNO’s arch enemy– seems to be rather quiet on the six months deadline given to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to implement the promised reforms.

The impression is created that DAP in general and its secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook is engaging privately but effectively with the Madani government to bring about the reforms.

Assuming the DAP is serious about the six-month deadline for reforms, maybe Loke should highlight the reforms that the party is seeking from the government.

Maybe the provision of a list of demand might give some indications about DAP’s seriousness about reforms.

At the same time, reforms should not be talked about just because the party got a severe beating in the recent Sabah state election.

Furthermore, reforms should not be just the need to recognise the United Certificate Examination (UEC) so as to appease the Chinese electorate in the country.

Would DAP walk out if no reforms?

It is expected of DAP to outline the reforms that it is seeking but until today there is no indication that the party is serious about reforms.

The public is not informed that if the reforms are not forthcoming within six months, what follow up action would DAP adopt to ingratiate itself to the Chinese electorate.

Loke given his bureaucratic approach to politics seems rather reticent about the reforms that he seeking.

Whatever one has to say about UMNO, the Youth Wing headed by Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh is adamant that the party should part ways with the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led ruling coalition.

Most importantly, UMNO wants to put a stop to its uneasy relationship with DAP in the synthetic coalition.

As the clock is ticking, six months is not very long away with the Malaysian public also eagerly waiting for the reforms that DAP is presenting to the government.

Can the DAP leadership inform the public that if the reforms are not forthcoming – or are delayed – what counter=measures that the party is going to adopt?

Are they going to moot a similar call by fiery Akmal that UMNO should leave the Madani government? UMNO might have some leftover guts but I wonder whether DAP is in a similar position. 

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.