GEORGE TOWN – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad may have inadvertently done far more damage to DAP than he realised when he quit as prime minister, as the party is now split over whether to continue supporting him.
This issue has become the foremost point of contention ahead of the party’s national congress, where elections are due for the 30 slots in the central executive committee (CEC), as well as the posts of chairman, deputy chairman, two vice-presidents, treasurer and secretary-general.
Several DAP insiders said the party’s 4,000 delegates are split over whether to back Dr Mahathir, a topic of much discussion in the run-up to the party polls on December 20.
The issue will still be a thorn in the side of DAP members even if they secure a postponement of the elections from the Registrar of Societies (RoS) due to the ongoing Covid-19 threat.
“The disdain towards Dr Mahathir is there. Some DAP leaders are fed up with what Mahathirism has done to the country for the past 40 years. Some have taken the liberty to blame him for everything that has transpired since he quit in February,” said a party source.
On the other hand, there are those quick to remind the party that Pakatan Harapan, of which it is a member along with PKR and Amanah, gained federal power under Dr Mahathir’s stewardship.
A subtle reminder was also issued that DAP was given the finance minister’s post in 2018, when Dr Mahathir returned for his second stint as prime minister.
Outgoing DAP secretary-general and former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng held the finance portfolio in the PH administration, which was dethroned when MPs from Bersatu, led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, entered an alliance with Barisan Nasional and PAS to form Perikatan Nasional, which took Putrajaya on March 1.
Also joining PN were former PKR No. 2 Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and eight of the party’s lawmakers.
Other contentious topics being discussed are how DAP will respond to the PN government, PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s alleged ties with Umno, and the management of the triple crises of the Covid-19 pandemic, economic slowdown and political stalemate.
Insiders said DAP will monitor closely any attempt to wrest federal power from Muhyiddin’s government.
RoS has rejected the party’s request to postpone its elections, which organising secretary Anthony Loke has said would be dangerous to hold at this time.
There are 4,000 delegates nationwide, and they must be physically present to vote for party officials for the 2020-22 term.
This should not happen when the Klang Valley is a red zone, said Loke.
It is learnt that he has made an appeal to Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to defer the party polls until the virus crisis is contained.
It is speculated that Loke is among the top contenders for the secretary-general’s post, which has been held by Guan Eng for the maximum three terms.
Sources said the other names submitted for the post include party strategist Liew Chin Tong, Guan Eng’s former political secretary Tony Pua, and Gobind Singh Deo, the son of the late DAP great Karpal Singh.
Insiders also expect party supremo Lim Kit Siang to inform delegates about his future, having played key roles since DAP’s formation in 1965.
For the first time, DAP will have 30 CEC members, reflecting its standing as a major party with 42 seats in Parliament.
Of the CEC posts, 30% must be held by women. The committee members will elect leaders to the other party posts.
Penang DAP veteran Phee Boon Poh has declined to be nominated for a spot on the CEC, saying younger leaders should be given a chance.
He called on RoS to allow the party to defer its elections due to the coronavirus.
It is learnt that other Penang leaders nominated to contest CEC posts are Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim, Wanita head Chong Eng, former Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi, Guan Eng’s former political secretary Ng Wei Aik and grassroots activist K. Kalidas. – The Vibes, November 30, 2020
