DAP needs to be more cautious
(Kwong Wah Daily) – DAP holds the largest number of parliamentary seats among Pakatan partners. It cannot depend only on Pakatan to woo the Malay votes to break the bottleneck. It has to attract more Malay members to draw more Malay votes.
From the 308 to 505 general elections, DAP fought for Malaysians and even though public support had been erratic, voters could still see its ideal of setting up a people’s government, offering hopes for a better tomorrow. However, when the Socialist Party announced that it would contest for eight parliamentary and 16 state seats, DAP has demonstrated that it lacks not only the political wisdom of Tun Mahathir who says that “the MO1 should be dealt with after the change of government”, it also exposed that it has forgotten the party’s original objectives of its hard struggle for the ruling power.
MCA and Gerakan have always attacked DAP for being arrogant but voters will not bother much about such accusations. What pains them is that when the Socialist Party offers a constructive proposal, DAP should listen instead of threatening to charge into Socialist Party’s constituencies. Although DAP defeated MIC in Sungai Siput, it has been the domain of Socialist Party for many years, which to DAP has been a thorn in the flesh.
DAP should reflect on the reasons why it lost Perak through negligence. The party has been mocked for its dependence on Tun Mahathir to win kampung votes and some of its leaders tend to magnify their little achievements and be pleased with themselves.
Now they have become government officials in Penang and Selangor and they are used to flattery. With their inflated ego, they turned a deaf ear to any dissident voice. Despite their deep penetration into Sarawak’s rural areas, they were defeated. The grass-roots are tired and their spirit of serving the people has slackened. This will be DAP’s stumbling stone in its effort to enlarge its political domain.
Since it is the second biggest party in parliament, DAP may want to rely on its past achievements to get more seats from Pakatan partners which may be willing to give up them since they have lost in the past two elections. DAP has neglected problems which crop up with the doubling of party resources. Their political aim of government for the people is blurring and they have forgotten gradually the hidden worries after ruling the Penang state for two terms.
For example, DAP has attacked Barisan Nasional on environmental issue but is now beset with environmental problems. Furthermore, if it is to wipe off the Chinese-based parties in Barisan, it needs to make huge increment in allocations directly benefiting the Chinese community in the states under its rule. Showing evidence of political performances is much more convincing than making all the fanciful attacks against Barisan.
“Ubah” is dawning but there are a few more steps to Putrajaya and the few more steps cannot be made just through social media and speeches at funds-raising dinners.
DAP members need to be humble, its leaders need to stop being arrogant while keep a clear mind all the time with Pakatan Harapan. Actually, one should not ignore the destructive force of PAS. Just like the Socialist Party, instead of attacking it, DAP should absorb it as it is now the golden time to rally the forces of all people.
The general election is very likely to be held after the budget. One could see the effect of monetary temptation from Felda settlers. Pakatan should map out the strategy even before the budget announcement to swing the votes of the 1.6 million public servants. DAP holds the largest number of parliamentary seats among Pakatan partners. It cannot depend only on Pakatan to woo the Malay votes to break the bottleneck. It has to attract more Malay members to draw more Malay votes.
Instead of clamoring for Pakatan seats, DAP should consider seriously whether it could take over Putrajaya. If Pakatan wants to avoid a defeat due to over-heating, it should be more restrained in its words and actions. It should not repeat the same mistake of Barisan in saying that “it must win”. No party can guarantee a victory. As the alluring hope has not been attained, all have to work harder.
