A VETERAN Penang DAP leader has alleged that it will be difficult for the party to close ranks after this weekend's DAP central executive committee (CEC) triennial elections if the delegates do not vote wisely along party lines based on loyalty.
"It will be a permanent split if certain leaders are ousted out of spite and jealousy or if the current delegates subscribe to what external forces want of a party."
DAP's rivals want a subservient party who can bow to their interests rather a stronger socialist party.
DAP risks going the way of many Chinese - based parties because the community generally wants leaders, who can be seen championing their plight passionately rather than discreetly, as it gives the impression that they are just out to take care of themselves only, said the leader.
Stressing that he is not taking any sides in the coming elections except that he will vote based on his conscience, the leader said that it is up to the fellow delegates to vote wisely until the party has the capacity to close ranks.
Otherwise, DAP stands to lose out in the next general election if the delegates vote along factions or cliques rather than having their own minds to dictate who the party should have in the top leadership pool of 30 candidates.
DAP practises a two - tier election process - the first sees up to 4,000 delegates, who are eligible to decide, who among the 70 candidates should be in the 30 - elected CEC positions.
The last stage is for the 30 winners to decide among themselves, who should hold what post in the CEC with all eyes on the current incumbent chairman Lim Guan Eng, who is said to be in a vulnerable position after falling out with many other leaders.
"If Guan Eng is forced out, his supporters may abandon support for DAP. On the other flip of the coin, many other leaders will also be alienated if Guan Eng is maintained as the chairman of the party," said the leader.
"The worst scenario sees DAP weakened like the likes of MCA and Gerakan."
The best is to impose on the candidates to compromise among themselves by electing a line up which represents all sides and ensuring that they are driven by meritocracy rather than which "cai dan" (leadership menu) they are in.
This thereby forces the winners to firstly close ranks and secondly uphold the interests of the party rather than individuals, said the leader.
"Family members know when it's time to forgive and move on. It is only politicians who are power crazy, who do not know about the notion of closing ranks."
The leader acknowledged that Guan Eng is facing an uphill battle to stay as the party chairman because a sizeable number of delegates want a younger set of leaders, although he is just 64 - years old but, he is already seen as a veteran.
The delegates also need to know whether DAP wants leaders, who are outspoken about issues rather than those, who are the evasive type, said the leader.
It is learnt that among the 70 candidates, those who are Members of Parliament stand a better chance of winning a slot among the 30 - elected members of the CEC.
The election is on this Sunday at the IDCC Ideal Convention Centre in Shah Alam.
The former DAP leader said that a multi - racial line up seeing Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo as the chairman and Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming as the deputy chairman, is the best solution on cards. - March 14, 2025.
