Loke can dispel negative perceptions of DAP, say analysts

 

DAP’s new secretary-general, Loke Siew Fook, is well-positioned to project a more acceptable image for the party, two analysts say.

PETALING JAYA: Newly elected DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook holds the ideal position to dispel negative perceptions of the party, say political analysts.

Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid of Universiti Sains Malaysia said with DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang having retired from politics, and his son Guan Eng no longer its secretary-general, Loke was well positioned to ward off accusations that DAP was a nepotistic party.

“Loke needs to emphasise the fact that Kit Siang and Guan Eng’s previous predominance in the party was owed to their merits and capabilities, not due to their blood relationship,” Ahmad Fauzi told FMT.

“Kit Siang’s electoral record speaks for itself. Whether you put him in Melaka, Penang, Perak or Johor, he’s more than able to pull off a victory.”

Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid.

He said one of DAP’s weaknesses was its inability to shake off the image of being Chinese-centric, adding that the party was not prepared to jeopardise its voting bank in the past.

“Its leadership realised that if it goes too quickly in ‘Malaysianising’ its outlook, its Chinese support might be slowly eroded,” he said.

Nonetheless, he said Loke’s priority should be broadening the party’s support base to reflect the Malaysian demographics.

“He can write in non-Chinese newspapers to explain DAP’s progressive stand on many issues and showcase his proficiency in the Malay language. As a Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia graduate, Malays expect his command of the national language to be good.”

James Chin.

James Chin of the University of Tasmania’s Asia Institute agreed that DAP was generally perceived as a Chinese party. He said many members of the community were disappointed with the party following its 22 months in the Pakatan Harapan government.

He believed that Loke should take the lead in apologising to the Chinese community for PH’s inability to deal with its core grievances when it was in government, like the recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).

Chin told FMT that with Loke as its secretary-general, DAP had the opportunity to create a new image and narrative for itself, not just among the Chinese but all Malaysians as well.

“The recent party elections show that it is quite difficult for the minority Malays and Indians to get leadership positions. So they have to find a way to bring more Malays and Indians into the party’s top leadership to show they are multiracial,” he said. - FMT