MM Online - Three things we learnt from DAP’s conference:
By Yiswaree Palansamy and R. Loheswar
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A general view of the 2019 DAP National Conference in Shah Alam May 5, 2019. — Picture by Firdaus Latif |
SHAH ALAM, May 6 — DAP held its national conference yesterday for the first time in history as a ruling party, but there was a surprising lack of excitement.
According to party members who spoke to Malay Mail on condition of anonymity, due to an unprecedented media blackout on the debate session in the party’s annual assembly, the member party of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition government seems to still be grappling with PH’s upset victory in the 14th general election.
DAP leaders appeared to be trying hard to convince members that the party is still in a strong position, even reminding them the number of seats and government positions held by party leaders.
Contrary to the DAP’s previous 10-year tradition of allowing the media to attend and report the debate sessions in its national conferences, the DAP shut out journalists and photographers this year.
If anything, this is an indication that the party’s top guns do not want criticism from its members published, for fear of bad press and subsequent political fodder for the Opposition.
DAP is struggling to find its footing among Malay voters and retain its loyal base of supporters, amid Umno and PAS championing a race and religion-based agenda in favour of the Malays.
Here is what Malay Mail observed at DAP’s National Conference 2019, just five days before the May 9 anniversary of PH’s first year in office, by speaking to party delegates:
According to party members who spoke to Malay Mail on condition of anonymity, due to an unprecedented media blackout on the debate session in the party’s annual assembly, the member party of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition government seems to still be grappling with PH’s upset victory in the 14th general election.
DAP leaders appeared to be trying hard to convince members that the party is still in a strong position, even reminding them the number of seats and government positions held by party leaders.
Contrary to the DAP’s previous 10-year tradition of allowing the media to attend and report the debate sessions in its national conferences, the DAP shut out journalists and photographers this year.
If anything, this is an indication that the party’s top guns do not want criticism from its members published, for fear of bad press and subsequent political fodder for the Opposition.
DAP is struggling to find its footing among Malay voters and retain its loyal base of supporters, amid Umno and PAS championing a race and religion-based agenda in favour of the Malays.
Here is what Malay Mail observed at DAP’s National Conference 2019, just five days before the May 9 anniversary of PH’s first year in office, by speaking to party delegates:
Matriculation ‘letdown’
DAP's national conference proved to be a very intense school-report-card type of day, as ministers and deputy ministers from the party purportedly faced questions and criticism from the rank and file.
DAP delegates told Malay Mail that deputy education minister Teo Nie Ching was on the receiving end from party delegates, particularly ethnic Indians, who expressed frustrations over the government's decision to retain the 10 per cent quota system for non-Bumiputera for matriculation courses.
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now totally useless - quiet as a mouse |
"The matriculation issue is a total letdown for the Indians.
"We are totally upset with the deputy education minister. Why? That day in Putrajaya, she could have called all the Indian students who qualify for matriculation intake to Putrajaya, to have an engagement with their Indian parents, but you (sic) avoided the parents. Why must you worry? Engage them and explain why the intake for B40 (bottom 40 per cent) Indians is low!" a source said.
Another delegate shared similar sentiments about the pre-university education and public university admissions.
"We hope for better opportunities for non-Malays, but issues like matriculation and increase [of] numbers in university for Malays and non-Malays is a big minus point. Seems like despite us being in office, we still may not have a strong enough voice," he said.
The government recently expanded the matriculation programme by 60 per cent from a student intake of 25,000 to 40,000, while retaining a 90 per cent Bumiputera quota, but critics have questioned if this will inadvertently disadvantage STPM students in admission to public universities.
Dissatisfaction over proposed Kulim airport
The federal government’s proposal to build an international airport in Kulim, Kedah, also took centre stage at the DAP’s national conference, according to delegates.
A party delegate expressed regret over the suggestion, lamenting a conflict of interest in the project as Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz are related.
"They explained to the members — ‘The PM is from Kedah, his son is the mentri besar. When they want something, you want me to stand up and say no? As long as it's not public money, you can't say no’,” said a source who requested anonymity, describing how party leaders responded to the Kulim airport issue.
"The question was, why the transport minister is so quiet on this issue? But he said, how could he comment, when they've not done the study on the issue. I can understand their stance," he added.
Last month, Lim told the Penang state legislative assembly that there is no reason to block the federal government’s proposal to build the Kulim airport since will be funded by the private sector via the Private Finance Initiative, Bernama reported.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow from the DAP however shot down Mukhriz’s proposed airport plan last Saturday, pointing out that the Penang International Airport, which is 40 minutes away from the proposed Kulim airport, has yet to reach full capacity.
Cost of living still high despite GST repeal
DAP delegates who spoke to Malay Mail added that living cost issues were also brought up during the debate at the party’s national conference.
The concerns, they said, surrounded the new minimum wage of RM1,100 and prices of necessities that they claim have not reduced even after the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was abolished.
"The increment is so little. This is wrong and people don't agree on that," a source said.
"Secondly, from GST to SST (sales and services tax), what's the difference? Cost of living is still the same. Cost of living is still high. It's still a lot," he added.
* Editor's note: A previous version of the report contained disputed information. The article has since been edited to remove this following clarification from Damansara MP Tony Pua.
"We are totally upset with the deputy education minister. Why? That day in Putrajaya, she could have called all the Indian students who qualify for matriculation intake to Putrajaya, to have an engagement with their Indian parents, but you (sic) avoided the parents. Why must you worry? Engage them and explain why the intake for B40 (bottom 40 per cent) Indians is low!" a source said.
Another delegate shared similar sentiments about the pre-university education and public university admissions.
"We hope for better opportunities for non-Malays, but issues like matriculation and increase [of] numbers in university for Malays and non-Malays is a big minus point. Seems like despite us being in office, we still may not have a strong enough voice," he said.
The government recently expanded the matriculation programme by 60 per cent from a student intake of 25,000 to 40,000, while retaining a 90 per cent Bumiputera quota, but critics have questioned if this will inadvertently disadvantage STPM students in admission to public universities.
Dissatisfaction over proposed Kulim airport
The federal government’s proposal to build an international airport in Kulim, Kedah, also took centre stage at the DAP’s national conference, according to delegates.
A party delegate expressed regret over the suggestion, lamenting a conflict of interest in the project as Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz are related.
"They explained to the members — ‘The PM is from Kedah, his son is the mentri besar. When they want something, you want me to stand up and say no? As long as it's not public money, you can't say no’,” said a source who requested anonymity, describing how party leaders responded to the Kulim airport issue.
"The question was, why the transport minister is so quiet on this issue? But he said, how could he comment, when they've not done the study on the issue. I can understand their stance," he added.
Last month, Lim told the Penang state legislative assembly that there is no reason to block the federal government’s proposal to build the Kulim airport since will be funded by the private sector via the Private Finance Initiative, Bernama reported.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow from the DAP however shot down Mukhriz’s proposed airport plan last Saturday, pointing out that the Penang International Airport, which is 40 minutes away from the proposed Kulim airport, has yet to reach full capacity.
Cost of living still high despite GST repeal
DAP delegates who spoke to Malay Mail added that living cost issues were also brought up during the debate at the party’s national conference.
The concerns, they said, surrounded the new minimum wage of RM1,100 and prices of necessities that they claim have not reduced even after the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was abolished.
"The increment is so little. This is wrong and people don't agree on that," a source said.
"Secondly, from GST to SST (sales and services tax), what's the difference? Cost of living is still the same. Cost of living is still high. It's still a lot," he added.
* Editor's note: A previous version of the report contained disputed information. The article has since been edited to remove this following clarification from Damansara MP Tony Pua.
Kaytee's note: Tony Pua is an 'establishment' person and is not a neutral source without 'conflict of interest'
a useless deputy education minister, no diff if not worst than mca.
ReplyDeletetalk about cat but now do thing like prostitute, everything done close door, at least we know prostitute have no choice n never brag cat, this dap worst than prostitute.
U, can do any better?
DeleteJust fart north south east west centre, as long as u think dap must has a say.
Closed door meeting IS prostitution-like!
Wait till u r try ing to attend Amazon's AGM lah. Public listed company so must open to public! Bezo will send u out guarded before u even trying to release yr foul gases!
Openly mourning about yr pet cat's mistreatments at a meeting where u r a non-member IS also strumpeting lah.
i never brag i can.
Deletebezo never make noise how alibaba conduct their meeting.
prostitute do brag for better price not knowing whats cat, dap knows cat n similarly brag for better price. in short, dap more cunning than a prostitute on how to sell at a higher price.
U never brag u can? BUT u keep shooting others to prove what?
DeleteHaven't u heard of a wise phrase - “He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her.”
To paraphrase: if u can't do a better job, don't just criticise as if u know better!
Why should Bezo makes noise how Alibaba conduct their meeting when he has no control of Alibaba. But he definitely owns Amazon!
Mfer, didn't u see the correlation in Amazon & DAP conducting THEIR meetings?
So u know how prostitutes conduct their business. Frequent customer?
Moron!
to prove lks is a hypo n dap is good in prostituting its bragging talent. if i cant do a job i committed, i quit. bila dap quit ph?
Deletethen y lks make noise how mca conduct their meeting?
i know, exactly like how dap did, brag first, collect cash then tell this cannot do that cannot do.
Judging from yr constant pet cat mourning, mana u sudah quit?
DeleteThis only meant u tak bolih pakai as far as committing to do a job lah!
Mfer, if u want to compare yrself with the like of lks, then be a politikus lah.
Since u have zilch potency for been a politikus - farting at the side w/o unmasking yr identify with cheap shots - so what do u know about how dap did, brag first, collect cash (??) then tell this cannot do that cannot do.
At least when DAP is farting/working, people CAN clearly identify that's his performance.
What about u? Nobody will ever know whether yr pet cat was ever been mistreated by DAP, except of what u have continuously farted about! Who r u - a closet rpk-clone!
Look over to yr Formosa, r those idols of yrs ANY better?
Stop giving cheapskate potshots! Be a man as u claim to be. Join a party (pkr??). Then prove yrself for what u so gamingly fart about - just for a 5sec fame.
i yet to quit bec i still hv a job to do that is to ensure a prostitute must finish his job after bragging n collecting money.
Deletei am a man so no point claiming again. prostitute is diff, u shall ask them after bragging, must man enough to own it instead of excuse tis n excuse tat. so bila mahu recognize uec? bila mahu quit ph?
So now u claim to be the pimp!
DeleteHow much blood have u sucked out from the hardworks of the prostitutes under yr care?
Good at farting! So simple - just open that orifice to let the foul gas through.
Never for a moment let that impulsive thought filters through by that grey matter of yrs.
Oui … u punya otak rosak juga ke? Perhaps, too much happy hours at the dangdut joins with the zombies?
pimp is one that boost how fantastic is the prostitute perform her task, i dun do that, u did. now go chk yr sop y this prostitute after so much brag still no result. bila quit ph?
DeleteHow quick u have forgotten ur own fart just 5sec ago!
Delete"still hv a job to do that is to ensure a prostitute must finish his job after bragging n collecting money."
Did u write that?
What do u call a f*ck who ensures a prostitute (male&/or female) must finish his/her job after bragging n collecting money?
Perhaps, a cunning sophist inducing innocent youngsters to the meat trade!
Noooo… no play semantic. Just pure pimp lah.
we call that CUSTOMERS ie voters.
Deleteu r a pimp la, own up la man.
So yr customer, as defined by u, must ensure the prostitute, as engaged by u, must finish his/her job after bragging n collecting money?
DeleteWow! What a zombified capitalistic undertaking!
But, too bad!
Before the deal, who's helping to close the meat trade? & in yr case it's more likely a gangland syndicate operation mah (can yr farted head sees the connection - vis-a-vis voters)?
Pimp lah! Bodoh.
Once again, r u a pimp or a customer?
Good for DAP to have a closed door meeting for frank and open discussion....wakakakaka...
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wise that DAP National Conference is still held, discussed, debate on issues by their members without the unnecessary publicity from the BN owned media and their Hellhounds circling overhead like Vultures picking on victims to feed their political bashings on 3 Rs?
ReplyDeleteThings still got done, debated and discussed and their members will be briefed by the delegates to the Conference when all is done and over with. Isn't that what delegates to the congress are supposed to do?
As for the public, hard luck! As for the Hellhounds, wakakakakakaka.
this is not the issue - the issue is LKS told MCA to do what he LKS himself did not ask his own party to do
DeleteMfer! R u privy to the dap meeting such that u know what LKS himself did not ask his own party to do?
DeleteRemember he is now a ordinary member.
Ain't u the one die2 have claimed that lks is been manipulated by mamak?
Meanwhile, yr sifu's story is lks is the ultimate puppeteer of PH!
Bloody hell, who's right? Who's wrong?
Bolih coordinate yr attacking fart cannons properly ke?
Ain't this the REAL issue?
if thats the case, lks shall ask in open y dap become a prostitute.
DeleteWakakakakaka…
DeleteSo gamingly bodoh-sombong!
Asking a semifretired seasoned politikus to wash his dirty(??!!) party liners in the open?
Perhaps, that how a frequent strumpeter negotiate for a better deal even when he can't even hand-lifts his dick!
to sum it up, u said nothing about everything.
DeleteHow could a f*cked head like u fathom anything while still mourning for yr pet cat!
Delete