Federal Territory DAP delegate Sangeet Kaur Deo has urged the party leadership to reassess its relationship with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, accusing the Pakatan Harapan chairperson of dividing coalition partners and empowering Umno.
Debating a motion at the DAP national conference today on whether the party should remain in government, Sangeet lamented what she described as the government’s failure to deliver on its pledges, including eradicating corruption.
“I ask our CEC (central executive committee) to seriously reassess our relationship with Anwar.
“Instead of bringing the coalition partners together, what has he done? He has divided us. Pit us against each other, empowered Umno. Why? We cannot afford to ignore that,” she said.
Sangeet maintained that DAP should remain in government, but said the party should use the time to rebuild public trust rather than claim it could still deliver reforms that had remained unfulfilled.
“Do we stay or do we go? We stay for now. But the reasons are different from what you have heard today.
“We need to stay because DAP needs these months to rebuild trust and confidence in this party,” she said.
Corruption scandals
While acknowledging reforms undertaken by DAP ministers, she said the party had remained silent on too many controversial issues to avoid “rocking the boat”.
“We cannot deny that there are scandals related to corruption that have escalated while we have been in power.
“We came into power on the basis that we’re going to eradicate corruption. Have we done that? We have not.”
She cited Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) in a case involving 47 charges, as well as controversies surrounding the MACC.
Sangeet also referred to the “corporate mafia” scandal, saying DAP leaders in the cabinet struggled to defend it.
“I can assure you that when the corporate mafia scandal hit the news, it was our leaders in cabinet who stood there and asked themselves, how are we going to defend this? It cannot be defended.
“What are the voters saying? ‘Where is DAP? Where is your voice? Why are you silent?’," said Sangeet, who questioned whether DAP could genuinely work with Umno while the latter continued attacking the party publicly.
“Umno openly attacks us. On a federal level, we are supposed to work with them. Are these coalition partners we can genuinely work with?”
People unhappy, DAP must act
Echoing concerns over stalled reforms, Perlis delegate Chew Chin Li said DAP ministers should remain in the cabinet until the 16th general election, provided the government accelerated reforms and its anti-corruption efforts.
“The slogan of ‘reformasi’ has been described as ‘reformati’. The rakyat are very unhappy because many reform policies have not been fulfilled.
“So people are disappointed with Anwar and even with DAP,” he said.
Chew cited the failure to separate the roles of the attorney-general and public prosecutor, proposals to place the MACC under Parliament, and the investigation involving MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki and Zahid’s DNAA.
“People are not happy. Anwar says he wants to fight corruption, but these problems still exist,” he said.
‘Fight, fight, fight’
He also urged Anwar to take a harder line against DAP’s political rivals.
“We must fight them high and low. Anwar must fight them. Anwar should not be soft with them,” he stressed.
Chew further said DAP ministers must maintain high standards while remaining in government.
“But our ministers must not follow in the footsteps of the party ‘sakau’ (stealing)! You know what I mean.
“Our ministers must have high integrity and continue the good work of serving the rakyat,” he added.
Earlier, Sangeet said staying in government should also give DAP time to reclaim its voice and credibility.
“So stay in government, find our voices. Speak up while we are there.
“And if we must become opposition again, at least we will have laid the basis and regained credibility," she added.
A total of 14 delegates debated the motion, which preceded a secret ballot by individual members to decide the party's final stance. - Mkini
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