Kit Siang reiterates external threats to DAP despite Liu's scepticism

 

Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang today reiterated the potential of external threats to DAP amid the ongoing party polls.

“The party is undergoing elections at state and national levels, and we welcome a healthy debate on the future of DAP and the nation.

“But we must be aware of hostile external forces which are trying to split and destroy DAP,” Lim said in a statement.

His statement came a day after the party’s Sungai Pelek assemblyperson Ronnie Liu disputed “external forces trying to split DAP”.

Liu had instead expressed frustration at the rise of DAP “elites” since the 2008 general election, who took up important government positions at the expense of long-time grassroots leaders.

DAP had since the 2008 national polls adopted a strategy of grooming potential future leaders by fielding them as election candidates even though they may be relatively new to the party.

Such a practice is a big no-no for many old parties like Umno and has likewise also upset long-time grassroots members in the DAP.

Amid the discontent, Lim had warned that external parties such as MCA and Gerakan are playing up Chinese sentiment to entice certain DAP members.

“I am sure that loyal and dedicated DAP cadres will not fall into such an MCA and Gerakan trap to join forces with them under the ‘Chinese unity’ banner, for such a ‘Chinese unity’ movement had been tried and failed in the past,” he said.

Sungai Pelek assemblyperson Ronnie Liu

Lim also acknowledged the debate between the Chinese-educated and English-educated factions in the DAP but said it was “news” to him.

However, he said what DAP stood for since 1966 was not the Chinese faction or English faction but a Malaysian position.

“We welcome honest views and criticisms as to how the DAP can better achieve the Malaysian Dream, and advance forward to achieve new political breakthroughs for the interests of the nation and people.

“All DAP leaders, cadres and members have one task and challenge - how to re-inspire, re-motivate, re-energise Malaysians in the pursuit of the Malaysian Dream to be a united world-class great nation and to win in the 15th general election to implement the promises that we have not been able to fulfil after the 14th general election,” he said.

Tensions have been rising ahead of the DAP national election in June while state party elections are already ongoing.

Liu had previously criticised the manner in which the current DAP leadership had charted the party’s course and said it shouldn’t have to dilute the party’s “Chinese-ness” to attract Malay supporters.

He had also said those who rose to prominence in the 2008 general election did not endure the tears, sweat, blood and sufferings of the grassroots but are enjoying the fruits of their labour.

“This simmering of discontent was further accentuated and brought to boil by the feudalistic powers-that-be, encircled by a kitchen cabinet advising the ‘Great Leader’ pulling the strings of power after GE14,” he said.

Liu did not say who he meant by “Great Leader”. - Mkini