DAP grassroot members are dissatisfied with the possibility of former TV host Yunna Tan becoming the party’s candidate for the Balakong by-election.
One such member is Selangor DAP socialist youth (DAPSY) chief Teh Hoong Keat, who said in a Facebook post today that the party seems to be expanding into the Chinese entertainment industry.
“Previously, we fielded Malay members in order to penetrate Malay ground for the sake of the big picture.
“Now, we are going to enter the Chinese entertainment industry. Cheers,” he said.
Contacted later, Teh (photo) refused to comment further.
However, many local DAP grassroot members expressed anger over the news. One source even questioned the rationale for fielding Tan, a non-member.
“Why should we field Tan? You are only making us ‘yun chuan’ (seasick). We have many talents, but you import a candidate,” the source told Malaysiakini on condition of anonymity.
“Yun chuan” is a homonym for Tan’s Mandarin name.
“Such action is belittling the grassroots. Then why should you use them (to provide services to locals)?
“As far as I know, Tan is not passionate about current affairs. She did not even participate in student activism or community service,” the source added.
Another grassroot member said it would be better to give an existing member the chance to contest, rather than a non-member.
“Most importantly, does it mean the party does not have talent? She is not a party member, you are asking her to join DAP to be a candidate. The better way is to field those who are qualified or who are serving the people,” the source said.
The source insisted DAPSY, DAP Wanita or the parent body had enough talents to be fielded for the Balakong by-election.
An unintended burden
The source also said if the party fielded Tan, it may have the unintended consequence of burdening Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming, who is also the deputy minister for the International Trade and Industry Ministry.
Balakong is a Chinese-majority state seat under Bangi. The seat fell vacant after the death of assemblyperson Eddie Ng (photo) in a road accident on July 20.
“Ong may have a difficult time. In the past, Ong relied on Ng and Seri Kembangan assemblyperson Ean Yong Hian Wah’s assistance to do much of the constituency work, hence Ong could concentrate on Parliament.
“Nowadays, Ean Yong’s seat is no longer in Bangi while Ng passed away. If we put another political novice, how can Ong cope?”
The source hoped the party leader could explain the reason for Tan’s potential candidacy.
Another Selangor grassroots member questioned whether the strategy was meant to help state DAP chief Tony Pua prepare for the upcoming state party election, slated to be held in late 2018.
“Previously, (Eddie) Ng supported Pua by delivering Balakong’s delegate votes.
“If Tan is fielded and wins, it will help Pua convince the party members (to vote for him).”
The source said, traditionally, DAP members may voice out against “parachute candidates”. But such dissatisfaction could be mitigated if party leaders such as Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng meet the grassroots to address their concerns after the candidate is finalised.
“If the candidate is not lazy, and is hardworking in mingling with the grassroots, he or she can win the hearts and minds of the members.
“Should the grassroots members accept the candidate, it means Pua would be successful in laying claim to the area.
“However if the party veteran such as incumbent city councillors were fielded, they may not listen to Pua. While he may be able to defend his Selangor chief post, he may not get more votes and his team may fall.”
Full support needed
In response, Ean Yong (photo), who is also state DAP secretary, asked the grassroots to work with the final party candidate.
“I hope the party’s central leadership can send a suitable candidate to defend the Balakong state seat. No matter who is the candidate, we need the full support of the grassroots to win.
“Whoever he or she is, the party’s central leadership must have talked with the local grassroots to work together in the campaign.”
Born in Penang, Tan once hosted two popular primetime Chinese current affairs programmes, “Evening Edition” and “Prime Talk” on Astro AEC.
Astro confirmed Tan had resigned from the company at the end of July.
During the May 9 polls, DAP won Balakong by a landslide, securing 77.5 percent of the total votes cast.
MCA’s candidate Lim Chin Wah had won 10.9 percent of the popular vote, behind PAS candidate Mohamad Ibrahim Ghazali, who received 11.6 percent.
The by-election nomination day falls on Aug 18 and polling will be held on Sept 8.
MKINI
DAP should use this opportunity to field a Malay candidate to strike at all the racial tactics coming from UMNO since the seat will be theirs anyway. With a Malay candidate DAP will show that they are not as portrayed by UMNO and assuage the fears of malays in future elections or are they still a Chinese based political party at heart?
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