DAP in a quandary
If the Selangor state government does not rectify itself and take action against the black sheep, the BN will sure continue to play up the issue. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will also interfere and as the result, the Pakatan Rakyat’s hope to stay in power might be destroyed.
By LIM SUE GOAN
Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE
The DAP has experienced a popularity surge after winning the recent Sibu by-election. However, the allegation against Klang municipal councillor Tee Boon Hock of misusing a Selangor exco member’s letterhead to secure contracts for his cronies has exposed the party’s factional and personnel issues. It has also been a weakness of the party for over the past 30 years.
If the issue is not properly solved, it is going to seriously affect the images of the DAP and the Selangor state government.
The signature-forging case is not only a fraud, but has also triggers questions on the matter of the local government awarding contracts based only on letters of support. Is bias involved in the procedures? Does it involve other officials? How long have they practiced it?
The internal strife of the party has never stopped since former Penang DAP chairman Yeap Ghim Guan was sacked in 1978 and the withdrawal of Fan Yew Teng.
I have conducted an exclusive interview with DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and he had no solution for the infighting of the DAP.
Today, there is a discord between Johor DAP chairman Dr Boo Cheng Hau and Bentayan state assembly member Gwee Tong Hiang; Pahang DAP chairman Lip Tuck Chee claims he has been marginalized; and Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi is believed to have been spoofed by party members.
Meanwhile, the party membership of Batu Lintang state assembly member Voon Lee Shan has been suspended for six months, two Perak state assembly members have withdrawn and now, factional fighting is involved in the Selangor state crisis.
Although all political parties have factions and personnel problems, they are particularly serious in the DAP. It may be because the party is having too much room to allow blackmail attacks and collusion. The attitudes of the party central leaders are very important too. If they do not handle the problems fairly, it might aggravate fractional problems.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek has pointed out that all component parties of the Pakatan Rakyat were having their own weaknesses and the weaknesses would be exposed and eventually affect public confidence.
If the DAP does not make amendments to its party constitution, punish anonymous attackers and those who are involved in collusion and carry through the dominant thinking to eradicate the bad political culture, Chua’s prediction will come true someday.
It is not easy for the opposition party to establish the two-party system and achieve the current status. It will be a pity if it is undermined by its factional and personnel problems.
The DAP had never thought of ruling before the 2008 general election. However, the party should now learn how to be an ethical government which is good in monitoring its mechanisms and managing its administrative procedures, such as funding, should not be directly deposited into personal accounts.
The DAP should make the Tee Boon Hock fiasco as the starting point and take actions against those who are involved in power abuse.
The Selangor state government should also thoroughly investigate and review the contract issuance of the municipal council to stop reckless contract issuance based on letters of support.
If the Selangor state government does not rectify itself and take action against the black sheep, the BN will sure continue to play up the issue. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will also interfere and as the result, the Pakatan Rakyat’s hope to stay in power might be destroyed.
It is a special system of Malaysia for ministers and lawmakers to sign business letters of support. Should such a practice be considered as corruption? The central government should also clarify and eliminate the grey area of the cooperation between the government and businesses. — Sinchew Daily
