Is DAP happy to ‘kill off’ PSM’s Jeyakumar?

I think I’ve read and heard enough over the past few months to have a better understanding of the intense animosity between leaders of Parti Socialis Malaysia (PSM) and certain quarters in Pakatan Harapan, the Perak DAP in particular.

It’s quite clear to me now that many Bersatu, PKR and Amanah leaders are more than happy to accommodate PSM within the opposition coalition for GE14. The main stumbling block is perhaps the DAP leadership in Perak.

Now, my reading could be wrong here and the Perak DAP could accuse me of being bias. I’m prepared to accept that.

But I have a question. Who has been gunning down PSM’s incumbent Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj in the media? Notably, DAP Perak chief Nga Kor Ming and his staunch party ally, Sungkai assemblyperson A Sivanesan.

And it’s not difficult to understand why. Perak DAP wants Sungai Siput back and A Sivanesan is eyeing the seat.

So like babies fighting over their mother’s milk, Nga (photo) and Sivanesan must come up with “grandmother’s stories” to find fault with PSM and Jeyakumar in order to justify their claim on Sungai Siput.

I have never been to Sungai Siput and I concede I do not know the constituency at all. But there is one thing I know for a fact.

Jeyakumar was the only candidate who could dethrone MIC supremo S Samy Vellu from his political bastion while other DAP candidates had failed. Even the DAP’s most popular Indian leader at one time, the late P Patto, could not shake the MIC giant.

Yes, I would give that credit to Jeyakumar. He deserves it.

Since being elected as Sungai Siput MP in 2008 on a PKR ticket, Jeyakumar has been an exemplary legislator. I’ve been told that he is a regular attendee in Parliament and has also been working tirelessly on the ground. As a doctor, Jeyakumar is known for his free medical services in his constituency.

I do not know Jeyakumar personally. I only met him once by chance, walking along a Brickfields street in Kuala Lumpur, in simple attire carrying a bag. He was alone, not surrounded by scores of people. There was no limousine to pick him up. He lives up to his image as a leader of the working class.

Here, I’m reminded of an event where I personally witnessed the sudden change in certain opposition politicians once they are elected to public office. The disparity between them and Jeyakumar is glaring.

A few years ago, I was invited by a businessperson friend in Selangor to attend a ground-breaking event in Shah Alam which was officiated by then Selangor menteri besar Khalid Ibrahim (photo). 

Two opposition lawmakers, one just elected a year before, turned up in chauffeur-driven limousines. They sat in the back seat, like a VIP of course. And they waited for the attendant to open the door before they would alight from their vehicle. Wow! That’s class! That’s a very VIP showmanship!

To be honest, I was ashamed of them and their egotistical display in public and more so, when I know both of them personally.

Well, we can’t really blame the more observant if they sneer at politicians, saying that they are all the same, whether from BN or the opposition? I believe many will understand what I’m driving at.

As for Jeyakumar, I must ask the DAP this question. Is the party happy to “kill off” the dedicated, credible and honest Sungai Siput MP?

Can the DAP make way, in just one seat to accommodate a proven and hard-working parliamentarian? After all, the party already has 38 MPs, some of whom are nowhere near Jeyakumar’s “class” of dedication in public service, humility and personal integrity.

In fact, I think there are several DAP parliamentarians who have “overstayed” and they should be told the truth, even if it hurts.

An opposition politician in Selangor, a dear friend of mine, used to complain about the arrogance of some DAP leaders and the notable names mentioned are the Perak DAP warlords, Nga Kor Ming and his cousin, Ngeh Koo Ham.

Again, I must state that I do not know the DAP cousins at all but when you keep on hearing of their alleged “misuse” of the power they wield within Perak DAP, then there must be some truth in between the lines.

I believe I’m not way off to conclude that the clique system is very much in place and in motion within the DAP in Perak. Those who are in the inner circle of the cousins stand to benefit from whatever the party has to offer.

But let us also be wary of the dangers of cliques within the political system.

The 2009 constitutional crisis is one painful lesson. Pakatan Rakyat lost the Perak state government after DAP’s state assemblyperson Hee Yit Foong crossed over to the BN.

The two-term Jelapang representative was angry at being sidelined by Perak DAP and named the Nga cousins as being responsible.

We can call Hee a “traitor”, a “frog” or whatever but looking back, I doubt the Pakatan government would have fallen had Hee been in the Kor Ming/Koo Ham clique.

DAP and Pakatan Harapan today must never ever repeat the same mistake of 2009.

Yes, DAP is the “big brother” and PSM is a “mosquito”, a political irritant to the Perak DAP perhaps.

We know how big brother Umno used to bully the small BN component parties like SUPP in Sarawak or PBRS in Sabah. A master only has to whisper and his dogs will come running to him. Do we see a resemblance here?

Finally, this is my appeal to PSM leaders. I hope all of you are able to look at the big picture and help Harapan achieve its most crucial mission in GE14 for the sake of Malaysians and Malaysia.

There is no shame to sit out the coming elections if a concession can be obtained for Jeyakumar to defend Sungai Siput.

It’s better to have one MP than none at all.

Don’t dream about being the “Third Force” because, at this stage of the game, the people who long for change would only want a “United Force”.

To the small group who refuse to support Jeyakumar because he is a socialist, let me say this: Even if Jeyakumar were a communist, he would also get my vote. Better a socialist or communist than a democratic kleptocrat.

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FRANCIS PAUL SIAH heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) and can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com -Mkini