Former DAP politician Ronnie Liu has warned that the “controversy” surrounding the party’s Skudai incumbent assemblyperson Marina Ibrahim’s sudden retirement from active politics could affect its performance at the upcoming Johor state polls.
Arguing that the matter has evolved from a “public relations crisis” to a “fundamental threat to DAP’s brand identity” as a reformist and multiracial party, Liu (above) warned that a lack of steps to address the issue could prove detrimental to the party.
Among other concerns, Liu cautioned that the party’s Malay outreach efforts could be set back by years while alienating civil society groups that once upheld DAP as a “symbol of hope” for political change in the nation.
The damage, he said on Facebook today, will be most acutely felt in Johor, where DAP has been trying to consolidate its gains and expand into new territories.
On May 31, Marina announced her retirement from politics after just one term in office, with the 38-year-old stressing that the decision was guided by discussions with her team instead of constant political confrontations.
Responding to the announcement, Johor DAP chairperson Teo Nie Ching revealed the party’s initial plan to move Marina to another urban state seat in the Johor election - with a chairpersonship at a statutory body prepared as a backup plan.
Marina has since declined to confirm the authenticity of a May 30 letter purportedly sent to Teo, which allegedly showed the former rejecting an offer to leave Skudai and contest the Tiram state seat, as well as a proposal that she be appointed to a statutory body should she lose.
In a separate Facebook post yesterday, Liu questioned DAP’s supposedly “self-serving approach” of “rewarding” a candidate who has lost at the ballot box with a government-linked position.
“Perhaps Marina wanted no part in such arrangements. If so, her decision to leave quietly and honourably deserves respect.
“Many politicians find it extremely difficult to let go. They want to remain YBs for as long as possible.
“Marina appears to be different, and that is precisely why I feel compelled to speak up for her. DAP should seriously reflect on how it treats its younger and more promising leaders,” he added.
‘Political setback’
In his post today, the former Sungai Pelek assemblyperson emphasised that Marina’s departure from the party should be considered a “significant political setback” for DAP as she was deemed one of the party’s “most valuable assets”.
“Marina was one of only nine Malay DAP state assemblypersons nationwide, and her ability to connect with both urban and semi-rural Malays made her a cornerstone of DAP’s ‘multiracial party’ branding.
“Malays see the offer to send Marina to a ‘suicide mission’ in Tiram (a BN stronghold), while promising a statutory body position as a cynical use of a Malay leader for electoral expansion.
“It reinforces the narrative that DAP views Malay politicians as ‘tools’ rather than genuine partners, driving away moderate Malay voters,” Liu asserted.
Theorising that DAP’s opponents are likely to weaponise the incident and amplify racial polarisation, which could make it harder for DAP to win over swing Malay voters in mixed constituencies, Liu also accused DAP of betraying its electoral impact.
This, he said, is because civil society groups - including Bersih and the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) - were among DAP’s “most vocal cheerleaders” during the reformasi era when the party was seen as a bulwark against corruption and cronyism.
“DAP’s long-standing criticism of BN’s ‘political appointments for loyalty’ now rings hollow, as civil society accuses the party of practicing the same patronage politics.
“Civil society leaders may withdraw public endorsements, affecting DAP’s ‘clean governance’ credibility,” he added.
Teo’s weakened authority
Besides potential youth disillusionment and volunteer base erosion, Liu, who left DAP in 2023, also claimed the issue had allegedly damaged internal party cohesion and candidate morale.
Claiming that Teo’s authority as the Johor DAP chairperson has been weakened, he floated the possibility of internal power struggles distracting from election preparation.
Yesterday, Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced the dissolution of the state legislative assembly, paving the way for the 16th state election.
The Election Commission is expected to announce the dates for nomination, early voting, and polling in the coming days.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke previously vowed that his coalition would respond to any dissolution of the Johor state assembly with a similar move in Negeri Sembilan. - Mkini
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