‘DAP wearing two hats – playing govt and opposition – may backfire’
DAP members have hogged the limelight in recent weeks, resulting in some observers quipping that they are better at being the opposition than Malaysia’s opposition bloc, Perikatan Nasional.
However, the move to play both ‘angel’ and the ‘devil’ could backfire and jeopardise DAP’s position in the nation’s so-called unity government, warned a political analyst.
“It’s a marriage of convenience (being part of the unity government). DAP has always been consistent on several issues, including the need to have local council elections. If DAP doesn’t speak out on matters that are close to the hearts of its supporters, it will lose its appeal,” said Associate Professor Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk.
“I don’t think they (DAP members) are comfortable with being in a government that works closely with Umno. DAP has always been against Umno. To sit in the same government and not speak out will work against DAP.
“What differentiates DAP from MCA or Gerakan if they don’t speak on behalf of their constituents, who are mostly non-Malays? DAP needs to do this for it to stay relevant,” he added.
Kuala Lumpur DAP chairman Tan Kok Wai, last month, urged the government to start local elections in Kuala Lumpur. Tan’s statement was met with fierce opposition by Umno, a party that is also part of the unity government. Federal Territories Pas Youth, meanwhile, went a step further and lodged a police report against Tan.
Tan’s DAP colleague, Nga Kor Ming, who is the Housing and Local Government minister, said local council polls were not a priority for his ministry at the moment.
On Dec 28, DAP’s Beruas MP, Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham, suggested that both non-Muslims, and a member of the Malaysian Bar, who are constitutional experts, also be appointed as members of the committee to study how to harmonise Syariah law with the Federal Constitution. This, however, was not well received by many. It even saw Selangor Sultan, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, reminding the people, especially the non-Muslims, to respect, and not to interfere in matters related to Islam in the country.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, who is also the Transport Minister, was forced to step in and calm the situation, calling Ngeh’s comments, an “oversight”. Ngeh later apologised and retracted his statement.
On Dec 27, DAP Ipoh Barat MP, M. Kula Segaran, who was recently named deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), questioned the “similar functions” played by the country’s Home Ministry, and Human Resources Ministry, in overseeing the recruitment and management of foreign workers, adding that “Malaysia is unique”. Kula also added that the current system was not in the best interests of Malaysia, as “functions are overlapping, and thus, corruption seeps in”.
This led to a discussion between Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, and Human Resources Minister, Sim Chee Keong, a DAP leader, in Putrajaya, yesterday.
On Jan 2, DAP member Ong Kian Ming, highlighted security flaws in the Central Database Hub (Padu), barely hours after it was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The government quickly scrambled to address the issues raised, with Communications Minister Ahmad Fahmi Mohamed Fadzil saying that the Cabinet had agreed to continue with the registration system.
“DAP must tread a fine line, otherwise it will be 2020 all over again, when DAP was seen as being too strong (leading to the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government).
“All said and done, DAP can’t hold on its own. The party cannot form the government of the day on its own. DAP would want to create an image that they are still critical, can speak up, but at the same time, they do not want to be seen as too vocal.”
Azeem admitted it was rather awkward for a member of the ruling coalition to speak up, adding: “If we look at the bigger picture, then we know that all is not well in the unity government”.
“At the same time, if DAP continues to be vocal, it will work against them. The government might break up again. Umno is feeling uneasy and has to play to the gallery. If not, Umno will be seen as not defending the rights of the Malays and Muslims in the country.”
Azeem added that DAP wanted to be seen as a party that doesn’t compromise and stayed true to its principles.
When pointed out that DAP’s Hannah Yeoh, who in the past, had said that the prime minister should not also be the finance minister, but who now serves Anwar who holds both portfolios, Azeem said: “That’s the kind of trade-off they (DAP) have to make to be in government”.
“They will be tested when there is an election. Their decision to work with Umno will be tested. At the last state elections, we saw how coalitions with Pakatan Harapan suffered setbacks. The ground has shifted. It was obvious in Penang and Selangor.”
Azeem highlighted that the unity government was a “new experiment”, adding that when Barisan Nasional was in power in the past, it had a clear structure, and a hierarchy system. Problems were dealt with behind closed doors.
“If DAP continues to play opposition and government at the same time, it might be good for DAP, but not for the unity government. The government will be attacked from all angles. Some will label it as an act to sabotage the government.
“Anwar will probably get turned off, and eventually form another coalition with Pas or Perikatan Nasional, to remain in power,” he added.
Main image: Democratic Action Party
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