DAP Begins To Worry

 

 

PETALING JAYA: DAP's concessions for Cabinet appointments 
some DAP leaders worries of backlash in state elections next year

supporters questioning if party given in too much
detractors saying DAP reduced to MCA 2.0.

why vote DAP if it cannot be their voice in govt
this could be the start of a defanging of the party

• weaker DAP easier to handle
• fears PH chairman use opportunity to sideline DAP
• DAP supporters might accept it for now but how long
• goes against DAP's stand on kleptocrats, institutional reforms 
• prime minister not holding finance portfolio
• DAP has also been silenced

• question claim that Cabinet nominations based on party hierarchy
• this was not followed in the case of DAP
• “Why single out DAP to be marginalised?”

• members, supporters making an issue
• PKR 8 ministers despite only 31 MPs 
• DAP 4 ministers although has 40 MPs
• party would have to make members understand 

• DAP sacrifice for policy reforms
• opportunity to deliver on PH’s promises
• fight  forces of extremism, bring about united Malaysia
• party’s sacrifices over more than two decades  
• party was true to its talk of putting nation above self.
• you may not do right by me, but I shall do right by the nation
• minorities will not be displaced or discriminated against 

My Comments :

This is a first for the DAP. Partners with UMNO. Who would have imagined.

This is a good thing for reducing the trust deficit between the races. Pas and Umno have always been the main protagonists of race politics. Pas has camouflaged race politics behind their religious facade.

However do not forget that this time around Umno secured only 12% of the vote (or close). Umno's version of race politics does not sell anymore, even among Malays. 

But n'theless the DAP sharing power with UMNO is a good icebreaker for inter-racial politics. Its about time the voters, especially the Malays, realised that it is not impossible for the DAP and UMNO to work together. 

But the present power sharing arrangement is born out of necessity. Hence it is slightly born out of wedlock. 

UMNO certainly does not see this as a permanent situation. The clever thing to do would be to change that perception. Many a good thing can be achieved for Malaysia if there was indeed a genuine convergence between the DAP and UMNO.    This is not an impossible wish. But there must be honesty and plenty of effort on both sides to make that happen. 

For the time being - is the DAP being played out?  In my view the quick answer is yes. 

Do not blame UMNO - they have never been the DAP's friends and they have said so many times.

But keep an eye on your friends. Do watch your back.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.