DAP delegates say staying in govt must come with change

 Klang MP V Ganabatirau says leaving the administration will only affirm people’s perception that the party is unable to deliver on its promises.

When delegates meet to decide on the DAP’s future in the government, the need to fulfil promises made to voters will likely top the agenda.

PETALING JAYA:

When the DAP’s 4,000 delegates gather next Sunday to ponder their party’s future in the government, foremost on their minds must be the unfulfilled promises.

Sentiments are mixed. Those who advocate serving out their term in the current administration acknowledge that there are shortfalls that must be addressed.

For others, there is no other way but to walk out.

Klang MP V Ganabatirau believes it is better to remain in government for now but stressed that the DAP must continue to pursue the reforms it had long advocated.

V Ganabatirau.

“There is no point withdrawing from the government. If we leave, the people will not believe we can deliver on our promises,” he told FMT.

The delegates will vote by secret ballot at the Aug 16 national congress on a motion on whether its leaders should continue to hold their government positions or quit the cabinet but continue to support the PH administration for the remainder of its term.

Including party secretary-general Loke Siew Fook, who heads the transport portfolio, DAP has five ministers and seven deputy ministers.

Ganabatirau said one reform that must be prioritised is the one person one vote principle championed by Bersih, which seeks to ensure that votes carry roughly equal weight across constituencies.

He also called for fair constituency allocations regardless of political affiliation, saying this would help restore public confidence that the government was not biased.

Ganabatirau said there should also be clear guidelines on the enforcement of penalties for offences involving race, religion and royalty (3R), an end to selective prosecution, and a review of e-invoicing to ease pressure on businesses.

Better to go

A delegate who plans to vote for an exit told FMT it was for the good of the party.

“We must do it before it is too late,” the delegate, who declined to be named, told FMT.

He said the losses in Johor and Negeri Sembilan had left many wondering if staying in government was hurting DAP’s support base.

“There is a perception that the party has become too accommodative,” he said.

“It is better to leave. But if delegates decide to stay, DAP must not continue with business as usual. Speak publicly, ensure fairness in governance and clarify government policies,” he added.

He said if no changes are made, DAP risks suffering a heavy electoral defeat as seen in Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Sabah.

Catch-22 situation

Ronnie Liu.

For former DAP strongman Ronnie Liu, it is a difficult choice. “Delegates know that both staying in the government or leaving carry political consequences,” he told FMT.

“If they leave, the party may become weaker. If they stay, there are problems too. It is a Catch-22,” he said.

Liu said the DAP risks losing Chinese and Indian support if it stays on. However, he added, PKR may lose Malay support if the DAP does not leave.

“This makes things more complicated,” he said.

He urged the party to identify areas where it had gone wrong and pluck up the courage to acknowledge mistakes where necessary.

Liu cited concerns over issues such as pig farming, e-invoicing, the royal commission of inquiry into the death of Teoh Beng Hock and other public grievances, saying DAP should focus on addressing these issues quickly as time was not on its side.

Unhappiness on the ground

Another DAP veteran said some grassroots members and elected representatives are already frustrated with the government’s performance.

He said that while the Madani administration had introduced reforms, their slow implementation had fuelled a public backlash.

Nonetheless, he expects delegates to back staying in the government.

“There are crucial unfinished businesses that both our leaders and the government must see through,” he told FMT.

He also made the observation that this would be the first time that the DAP is using its congress as a referendum on its position in the government.

Nonetheless, he added, a vigorous debate should be expected but the delegates would ultimately choose to remain in the Madani government.

“This will give its leadership the time and stability needed to deliver on its promises,” he added.

‘We still speak up’

Ngeh Koo Ham.

In response to comments that the DAP has become less vocal on issues, Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham claimed that party leaders had never stopped voicing their views on various national issues.

“Some say we have become a silent party since becoming part of the government. We are still vocal internally and we are still vocal publicly,” he said.

He said DAP chairman Gobind Singh Deo has also voiced concerns internally, but externally, people must understand that the party is part of the government.

Ngeh said delegates should vote based on what would best enable DAP to serve the public.

“There are pros and cons to staying or leaving. In politics, there is no ideal situation. If you are in government, there are many things you can do to influence policy,” he told FMT. - FMT