DAP must show its kingmaker clout by moving away from politics of appeasement
By Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy
DAP is under tremendous pressure to safeguard and protect the cultural and ethnic rights of the non-Malays. It cannot by a bystander anymore.
In the coming state assemblyman session in Penang, it is expected that there will be more lively debate compared to the sterile atmosphere before.
Whatever said and done, Perikatan Nasional (PN) seems to be the clear winner in the Penang state poll. Clearly, the bulk of the Malay support had gravitated towards the PN.
DAP with the full backing of the non-Malays won all the seats it contested. However, this was not the case with PKR, Amanah or UMNO. All these parties took the electoral beating delivered by PN with the exception of Negri Sembilan.
In effect, there is polarisation in the voting patterns in ethnic terms and to some extent in class terms. The latter needs to be fleshed out.
While the non-Malays gave their support to the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) allaince, the Malay non-support for PH-BN is rather obvious.
A more detailed analysis will possibly reveal that many of the PH-BN candidates were elected on the grounds of non-Malay support although Negri Sembilan might be an exception.
But such situation might change fast with rapid inroads made by PN. What are the some of the important lessons that can be drawn from the outcome of the recent state elections?
First, there is growing electoral polarisation in the country. The vast majority of non-Malays casting their lot with PH-BN while the Malays are throwing the support behind PN. In fact, the trend has continued from the days of the 15th General Election (GE150.
Second, many of the PH-BN Malay candidates would have lost without the support given by non-Malay voters especially those aligned with the DAP. In this regard, DAP appears to be the kingmaker. How long this particular role will continue is dependent on the position taken by the unity government.
Third, the unity government has been put in the most embarrassing position. Although the government might not collapse, there are, however, political implications.
Fourth, if the unity government moves in the direction of appeasing the conservative forces in PN to get Malay support, then there is a possibility that non-Malays in DAP might become alienated.
The question is: whether DAP has sufficient moral and political clout to influence the policy directions of the unity government. Too much appeasement politics like the MCA or MIC might be costly to the party politically.
Fifth, sad to say that UMNO has become more of a liability to the unity government. However, UMNO might not be at the receiving end as there is still room for the party to prevent its dangerous slide by adopting certain political manoeuvres.
It is not that UMNO is not totally out of political options to deal with changing political scenarios.
Sixth, it is sad to say that the social and economic situation of the non-Malays and Malays are not going to get any better.
If the unity government starts addressing the issues of the conservative Malays to gain the support of the Malays, the government might not prioritise the social and economic welfare of the deprived social classes.
Seventh, there is a sure possibility of the unity government facing not only the problem of ethnic polarisation but also issues of class deprivation. The political gains made by the PN might not be very pleasing to foreign investors. Investments might be delayed, thus affecting the creation of jobs. – Aug 13, 2023
Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is the former DAP state assemblyman for Perai. He is also the former deputy chief minister of Penang.
DAP is under tremendous pressure to safeguard and protect the cultural and ethnic rights of the non-Malays. It cannot by a bystander anymore.
In the coming state assemblyman session in Penang, it is expected that there will be more lively debate compared to the sterile atmosphere before.
Whatever said and done, Perikatan Nasional (PN) seems to be the clear winner in the Penang state poll. Clearly, the bulk of the Malay support had gravitated towards the PN.
DAP with the full backing of the non-Malays won all the seats it contested. However, this was not the case with PKR, Amanah or UMNO. All these parties took the electoral beating delivered by PN with the exception of Negri Sembilan.
In effect, there is polarisation in the voting patterns in ethnic terms and to some extent in class terms. The latter needs to be fleshed out.
While the non-Malays gave their support to the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) allaince, the Malay non-support for PH-BN is rather obvious.
A more detailed analysis will possibly reveal that many of the PH-BN candidates were elected on the grounds of non-Malay support although Negri Sembilan might be an exception.
But such situation might change fast with rapid inroads made by PN. What are the some of the important lessons that can be drawn from the outcome of the recent state elections?
First, there is growing electoral polarisation in the country. The vast majority of non-Malays casting their lot with PH-BN while the Malays are throwing the support behind PN. In fact, the trend has continued from the days of the 15th General Election (GE150.
Second, many of the PH-BN Malay candidates would have lost without the support given by non-Malay voters especially those aligned with the DAP. In this regard, DAP appears to be the kingmaker. How long this particular role will continue is dependent on the position taken by the unity government.
Third, the unity government has been put in the most embarrassing position. Although the government might not collapse, there are, however, political implications.
Fourth, if the unity government moves in the direction of appeasing the conservative forces in PN to get Malay support, then there is a possibility that non-Malays in DAP might become alienated.
The question is: whether DAP has sufficient moral and political clout to influence the policy directions of the unity government. Too much appeasement politics like the MCA or MIC might be costly to the party politically.
Fifth, sad to say that UMNO has become more of a liability to the unity government. However, UMNO might not be at the receiving end as there is still room for the party to prevent its dangerous slide by adopting certain political manoeuvres.
It is not that UMNO is not totally out of political options to deal with changing political scenarios.
Sixth, it is sad to say that the social and economic situation of the non-Malays and Malays are not going to get any better.
If the unity government starts addressing the issues of the conservative Malays to gain the support of the Malays, the government might not prioritise the social and economic welfare of the deprived social classes.
Seventh, there is a sure possibility of the unity government facing not only the problem of ethnic polarisation but also issues of class deprivation. The political gains made by the PN might not be very pleasing to foreign investors. Investments might be delayed, thus affecting the creation of jobs. – Aug 13, 2023
Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is the former DAP state assemblyman for Perai. He is also the former deputy chief minister of Penang.
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