Ong’s gripe with DAP justified, says ex-leader Ronnie Liu

Separately, political scientist Wong Chin Huat warns that the kerfuffle over a roadwork allocation could affect the party’s ‘liberal support base’.

(FMT) – Former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming’s disgruntlement with his party, DAP, is valid and justified, according to a former party leader.

Ronnie Liu said the kerfuffle over a RM5.6 million allocation for roadworks in DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng’s Bagan parliamentary constituency, and particularly the questioning of Penang executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari over the matter, was uncalled for.

“Zairil has done no wrong in this matter. It’s (roadworks for) a link road for two constituencies,” the former DAP central executive committee member told FMT.

Lim recently claimed that some RM1.4 million of the RM5.6 million in funds set aside for his constituency had been “hijacked” by Tasek Gelugor. He said this was the second time it had happened.

Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan, of Perikatan Nasional, expressed shock at Lim’s claim, asking if opposition-held areas were to be left out of development.

Zairil later said the RM5.6 million was meant to upgrade a trunk road linking the two constituencies, with RM4.2 million spent for the sector in Bagan and the remainder in Tasek Gelugor. The Penang DAP deputy chief also said the RM1.4 million has been “returned” to the Bagan MP who claimed he had felt cheated.

Bagan Dalam and Bagan Jermal assemblymen, K Kumaran and Chee Yeeh Keen, however questioned Zairil over his response, asking if he was covering up for errant public officials, Malaysiakini reported.

Liu also agreed with Ong’s view that DAP has strayed from its principles, pointing to its silence on certain issues involving human rights, race, religion, and the people’s interests in general.

“I can understand if DAP were to take a softer approach since they are part of the government, but keeping quiet is a ‘no-no’. That’s how MCA died.

“The people expect DAP politicians to speak up. They can choose softer approaches, certainly, but not keeping quiet as if all is well,” said Liu, who quit DAP last year after 41 years as a member.

Allocation tiff could affect DAP’s support base

Political scientist Wong Chin Huat of Sunway University warned DAP that the tiff over the allocation could turn away its loyal supporters, as it contradicted the party’s image as one that champions democracy and fairness.

“This puts DAP in a bad light and may affect (its) liberal support base, who are generally more principled over issues of public interest than supporters of other parties.”

Wong said the larger issue for DAP was that this may be perceived by the people as yet another attack on Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow’s state government.

Since Chow was appointed to his second term as chief minister, Lim has been outspoken in his criticism of the state over a variety of issues, from a proposed special financial zone in the state to the Penang Development Corporation’s aborted sale of land by direct award.

“It would certainly worry DAP leaders, who cannot afford to see DAP going down the way of Gerakan on the eve of the 2008 general election, when factional rivalry paralysed the party, angered voters, and resulted in its electoral wipeout.”

However, Wong said the matter was unlikely to affect the federal or state unity governments in the near term since no by-election is looming.

The damage may quickly be brought under control if the DAP base swiftly sympathises with Zairil and the Chow government and Lim tones down his attacks, he said.