Something is just not right in Penang DAP

In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way.

To political observers, it’s not too difficult to sense that something is wrong in a political party, especially when its leaders start feuding in public.

Factional infighting is common in politics, especially when wealth, position and power are in play. The DAP is also not spared the ignominy of such internal strife and powerplay.

It’s important to note that no political party is immune to internal challenges, and differences of opinion are natural. However, sustained patterns of issues like simmering, unhealed old wounds which are common could indicate more significant problems within the organisation.

I have followed closely development in Penang DAP and could sense that most DAP leaders are very ordinary politicians who fall way below my expectations.

This saying is appropriate in this context. “Give politicians position and power and they will change” reflects a common sentiment about the impact of political authority on individuals.

It suggests that when individuals acquire positions of power within the political system, they may change behaviour, priorities, or values.

The allure of power can lead politicians to prioritise their interests over the public good. This may manifest as corruption, unethical behaviour or a focus on personal gain.

Let me say it as it should be said. Some DAP leaders are also self-serving, egoistic, and even corrupt. We have witnessed that some would even break party rules by accepting datukship while its national chairperson, Lim Guan Eng, is facing graft charges.

So, tell me. How are DAP leaders different from those whom we had joined them in condemning during the Barisan Nasional era in government? With a heavy sigh, I have to agree with others that some DAP leaders, not all, are no different from those they used to discredit.

In the case of the Penang DAP, its internal problems have been brought into the public sphere over the past few months. It was particularly glaring during the elections held in six states, including Penang, last August.

I believe that the rivalry between Lim Guan Eng and Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has turned into bad blood and it seems that the duo, once comrades-in-arms, are no longer talking to each other.

In the latest incident, Lim publicly chided the Penang water company’s boss at a meeting ahead of a four-day water shutdown this week.

A leaked two-minute video shows Lim, who is an assemblyman for Air Putih, calling for more tankers to be placed on standby at worst-affected areas in the state, instead of the people being put under pressure to store water.

According to those who attended the event, Lim was upset when the water company’s chief executive officer, K Pathmanathan, said it was the public’s responsibility to store at least two days’ worth of water at all times.

Sure, Lim has every right to tick off Pathmanathan or any civil servant but hey, it is the DAP which rules Penang and Lim should have been more discerning in his ways of dealing with the government.

After all, Lim was the former chief minister and he should know his way around officialdom in the island state. Then, what is so difficult about approaching Chow personally to voice his concerns or displeasure and get the anomalies, if any, corrected?

Or are the two DAP colleagues not talking to each other anymore?

Chow is also the chairman of the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) and one must ask whether Lim intended to put the chief minister in a bad light with his complaints in a public forum, whether closed-door or not.

Talk about unhealed old wounds, this Lim-Chow feud has been simmering for too long with no sign of abating.

Last October, Chow called for an end to an alleged movement to topple him as chief minister.

Speaking at an event, Chow told the audience that before the state election, there were various speculations of a “dao cao” – topple Chow movement.

But this has since been dismissed by Lim and DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke. However, it is not difficult to ascertain who was behind the alleged plot to topple Chow.

I have also heard that Chow is seen as a dull, ineffective leader. However, he is the Penang DAP chairman and chief minister and Lim should stay out of the state government and party affairs if he is not keen to help his successor.

Lim, as the party chairman and DAP veteran, should live up to his public stature and act like one. Do not let Penangites view him as the ugly troublemaker in their home state.

The recent leaked video has portrayed Lim as a rabble-rouser and street fighter, out to disparage the Penang administration and the chief minister. This has tainted his public image.

I believe that the public wants the state government to focus on good governance and the party should focus on serving the people. Just let Chow do his job, as long as he is the chief minister.

The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.