When 4,000 DAP delegates gather on 16 August to decide the party’s future in government, the unfulfilled promises made to voters will top the agenda.
Sentiments are split. Those who back staying in the current administration acknowledge there are shortfalls that must be addressed. For others, there is no other way but to walk out, Free Malaysia Today reported.
The debate comes after difficult months for DAP. The party lost all eight seats it contested in the Sabah election last November before suffering further setbacks in Johor and Negeri Sembilan. Among the casualties was secretary-general Anthony Loke, who lost his Chennah state seat after serving three terms, according to Malay Mail.
Klang MP V Ganabatirau believes it is better to remain in government for now but stressed that DAP must continue to pursue the reforms it had long advocated.
“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 on 16 August 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, who heads the transport portfolio, DAP has five ministers and seven deputy ministers.
Ganabatirau said central reforms that must be prioritised include the one person one vote principle championed by Bersih, fair constituency allocations regardless of political affiliation, clear guidelines on enforcement of penalties for race, religion and royalty (3R) offences, an end to selective prosecution, and a review of e-invoicing to ease pressure on businesses.
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.
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 DAP risks losing Chinese and Indian support if it stays on. However, he added, PKR may lose Malay support if DAP does not leave.
“This makes things more complicated,” he said.
He urged the party to identify areas where it had gone wrong and acknowledge mistakes on issues such as pig farming, e-invoicing, and the royal commission of inquiry into the death of Teoh Beng Hock, saying DAP should address these quickly as time was not on its side.
Another DAP veteran said grassroots members and elected representatives are already frustrated with the government’s performance.
He said the Madani administration had introduced reforms, but their slow rollout had fuelled public backlash.
Still, he expects delegates to back staying in government.
“There are crucial unfinished businesses that both our leaders and the government must see through,” he told FMT.
He also observed this would be the first time DAP is using its congress as a referendum on its position in government. A vigorous debate should be expected, but delegates would ultimately choose to remain, giving leadership the time and stability needed to deliver on promises, he added.
Remaining in government could reinforce criticism that DAP has compromised too much while reforms have progressed too slowly. Leaving the Cabinet could satisfy members demanding a stronger stance but invite questions over the unity government’s cohesion and DAP’s ability to influence policy from outside the executive, Malay Mail noted.
Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham rejected the claim that DAP has become less vocal since joining government. He said party leaders had never stopped voicing views on national issues, and DAP chairman Gobind Singh Deo had also raised concerns internally.
Delegates should vote based on what would best enable DAP to serve the public, he said.
“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.
