DAP should ignore the noise, stay in government and work

Four factors are behind the special congress in July, but the party must stay on course.

Four factors are behind the DAP special congress in July at which members will decide whether the party’s leaders should resign from their positions in the unity government.

This “internal referendum” had been called ostensibly because of DAP’s devastating loss at the Sabah polls in November, when the party failed to win a single seat among the eight contested.

Believing the lack of reforms had contributed to its wipeout, the party declared it would work with the prime minister to accelerate reforms within six months.

But the Sabah polls debacle isn’t the sole factor, as news reports would have me believe. It’s just one of the four that is pushing DAP into some self-reflection.

The other sore points are:

• That the non-Malay community is still uncomfortable that DAP is in an alliance with Umno, its once bitter rivals, in the unity government;
• DAP is seen as having become a shadow of its former itself – a quiet mouse that now kow-tows to populist and fiery Umno leaders; and last but not least.
• The notion that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has abandoned many of their promised reforms.

A necessary, uneasy alliance

As I have said before, a mixed government is the only option from now on. Non-Malay voters have a choice between a mixed government that can represent the country’s plural society or being governed by a Malay-dominated administration.

Our previous king did Malaysians a great favour by engineering the present government that would never have materialised if  Pakatan Harapan, Umno and the ruling coalitions in East Malaysia had their way.

Anwar  has done a sterling job just keeping the peace among these parties, considering that the successors to Dr Mahathir Mohamad (after his second stint as prime minister) have had a tough time.

Muhyiddin Yassin stepped down as prime minister when Umno withdrew its support, while Ismail Sabri Yaakob had to deal with his party president, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

So before we have a go at politicians, know that being prime minister isn’t easy. There is always one battle after another that a prime minister has to contend with – externally and internally.

From lion to lamb

There’s an old adage “happy wife, happy life” which applies here. DAP, once the boisterous bachelor, probably realises that taking a more mellow route would be in the best interest for the “marriage” it finds itself in.

DAP must choose when and how to voice its concerns or raise issues.

I am sure that DAP leaders would have privately been in touch with Anwar on many issues, especially hot button ones, which are best left discussed behind closed doors.

Ideally, a married couple should not argue in front of their children. The same applies here. The idea that bravado must be on full display is sheer nonsense.

There is no need or benefit to call out your own teammates, unless one is desperate for social media likes and want praises to be heaped on them by sycophants.

The long-term cost is detrimental – it creates mistrust, which negates the hard work leaders put in to build better ties.

Slow reforms or unrealistic expectations?

I will say this again. PH did not win the last general election. In fact, there were no real winners. But still, PH leads the government, at a cost that would weigh down any prime minister.

To remain in power, compromises must be reached, even ones that may leave a bitter taste in one’s mouth. It is better to be in power where one can effect changes from within, slowly but surely.

In the opposition, loud slogans can get you attention, but the chances of effecting change is minute.

If Malaysians cannot appreciate that, then we deserve another Mahathir. In the current context, reforms cannot be rushed.

The Sabah wipeout

Does the DAP loss in Sabah deserve a “midlife-like” crisis? No. BN lost as well, and they are not holding a congress or talking about reviewing their position in government. BN is not even giving themselves a six-month deadline for reforms.

There are winners and losers in every election. Being in a democracy does not guarantee voters who are intelligent or sane. The fact the Donald Trump could become a president for the second time, despite his absurd and nativist rhetoric, is proof enough.

DAP gets an A+

Personally, I would give all the DAP ministers an A+ grade, only because there is no higher grade to give. The ministers work hard, to the point that one of their own landed in hospital due to sheer exhaustion.

The DAP has also been extremely mature in handling explosive issues sparked by foolish or opportunistic Malaysians. Restraint takes a lot of strength. Keeping one’s head on one’s shoulders is harder than keeping up an angry rant.

It took me 40 years of marriage and parenting to acquire this wisdom. DAP only had a few years.

Finally, if DAP does indeed leave the government as per ignorant populist demands, who do you think will succeed them?

In all likelihood, it would be Umno and those from Gabungan Parti Sarawak or Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.

As a tax-paying Malaysian I would feel shortchanged if I lost one good performing minister because DAP supporters want the party to go back to its old ways.

If we Malaysians want a better country, it is we that must grow up. We must accept many things that we thought we could not accept before, because the way forward does not lie in the “old ways”.

The path taken by the country has changed, and we must change with it.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.