Poor congress turnout suggests things are not well in DAP, says Rama

 Ex-DAP leader says the congress was meant to determine the party's direction following key defeats in three recent state elections.

Former DAP leader P Ramasamy said the attendance of 2,223 out of 4,264 delegates, just 52%, was ‘abysmally low’ for a special congress where delegates were to vote on a major party decision.

PETALING JAYA:

Former DAP leader P Ramasamy has questioned the low turnout of delegates at his former party’s special congress yesterday, where it was decided that DAP should remain in the government.

Ramasamy said the attendance of 2,223 out of 4,264 delegates, just 52%, was “abysmally low” for a special congress where delegates were to vote on a major party decision.

“Rather than looking at the number of those who attended and supported the motion, DAP should re-examine why nearly 50% of delegates did not attend the special congress.

“If a high percentage of those who were absent had attended, there is a possibility that the motion could have been defeated.

“The absence of nearly 50% of delegates indicates that all is not well with DAP. It could also be an indication of non-support for the motion to remain in the government,” he said in a statement.

Ramasamy, a former Penang DAP deputy chairman, added that the DAP leadership should ponder on whether the congress’ decision reflected the sentiments of the majority of party members.

Of the 2,223 delegates who attended DAP’s special congress yesterday, 2,099 voted on whether the party should remain or withdraw from the government.

A total of 1,857 delegates voted for the party to remain in the government while the remaining 242 voted for the party to leave the administration.

DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook said the turnout was considered high, as attendance during party elections usually only reached about 70%.

However, Ramasamy criticised Loke for playing down the figure, saying it was no ordinary DAP conference as delegates were supposed to make a major decision for the party.

“The Aug 16 congress was no ordinary congress. It was supposed to determine the political direction of the party in the wake of its poor electoral performances in the Sabah, Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections.

“The way the congress was dramatised in the days leading up to it was a kind of do-or-die moment for DAP. Given the critical political juncture, it was expected that at least 80% to 90% of delegates would attend.” - FMT