IT looks like the late Datuk Seri Karpal Singh's iconic legacy in DAP is eroding fast, given how the party has treated his two sons in the past year, said a local political observer.
Rahmad Isahak, a former DAP member, who is now a political commentator here, said both Digital Minister Gobind Singh and Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo were ousted in the Selangor and Penang state DAP elections respectively last year.
The defeats came despite both holding distinguished positions in government; one a full minister and the other a deputy chief minister, the first Malaysians of Punjabi descent to ascend to such positions, yet the grassroots delegates decided to out them within a year of their appointments, said Rahmad.
"Isn't something wrong here? If you ask me, Karpal's legacy is slowly eroding in DAP."
While the other son, Ramkarpal Singh Deo, remains in the good books of DAP, Rahmad said the fact that the two other brothers were rejected in the last term sends a chilling message that Karpal's sacrifices and stoic leadership have already been forgotten.
Asked if perhaps Gobind and Jagdeep's performances were not up to the delegates' expectations, Rahmad replied that there could be a reason, but the party should have handled it better instead of forcing Karpal's family to "lose face."
Karpal was a staunch DAP leader from 1970 until his untimely demise in 2014 in a road accident along the North-South Expressway in Perak.
There could have been a dignified way, as politics should be about strong leadership and setting examples through sacrifices, not about "shaming" one another, said Rahmad.
Rahmad's contention comes in the wake of another controversy when it was reported that Jagdeep was dropped as a non - executive board director of the listed arm of the Penang Water Services Authority - PBAHB due to failure to meet the criteria of attending the number of required board meetings.
Jagdeep was on medical leave during the onset of the meetings, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow reportedly said.
"How the information was leaked to the media, was a trial by media. Until now, there is no convincing clarification."
DAP is taking their supporters for granted if they cannot sort out their internal issues, as their entire focus should be on leading Penang and the country well, said Rahmad.
Jagdeep went on a short medical leave - was this enough reason for him to lose his board position in a state entity like PBAHB? asked Rahmad.
The issues surrounding Gobind and Jagdeep, are a testament that there should not be any nepotism allowed, especially in Malaysian politics if the family members of prominent leaders are struggling to meet the people's expectations, said Rahmad.
There should also be an opportunity for a graceful exit, as many children join politics out of love and support for their parents or grandparents, but over time, they may find that it is a vocation that they may dislike, said Rahmad.
DAP needs to come to terms with the presence of nepotism as there are now many family members of veterans in the party, said Rahmad.
"It can be good or it may be counterproductive. It boils down to the ability to perform if you are made a leader. A benefit of doubt can be accorded for a while but there comes a time when one must perform and prove their leadership credentials."
Political scientist Datuk Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said that Chow is in the position to resolve the issue although there are public concerns over DAP's performance in Penang.
According to him, DAP, like any other party, has issues but it is incumbent upon them to resolve them. - January 7, 2025.
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