DAP can renew itself or double down on Chinese base, says Ong

DAP can renew itself or double down on Chinese base, says Ong


Former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming says the party faces a major choice if its support continues to fall in GE16

DAP suffered a wipeout in the Sabah polls in November and lost several key seats during the Johor state election last month.

PETALING JAYA: Should DAP’s support continue to fall in the next general election (GE16), the party must either renewal itself to gain wider appeal or double down on its traditional Chinese support base, says a former leader.

Ong Kian Ming.


Former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming said DAP’s main focus now should be to retain as much non-Malay support as possible, while its past goal to woo more Malays is not as urgent.


“After GE16, I believe DAP has two main options. One option is to continue focusing on their traditional support base (Chinese voters).

“Although their share of the electorate is reducing because of the growing number of Malay voters, some DAP leaders may feel that this is the best way to retain Chinese support,” he said, according to Utusan Malaysia.


Under this approach, he said DAP could try to hold on to Penang and remain strong in Selangor, while accepting a role in the opposition at the federal level.

The other option, Ong said, was for DAP to rethink its long-term direction and renew itself, as part of shedding its image of being a Chinese party.

“Firstly, DAP’s messaging to the Malay community must change. Sensitive issues do not have to be avoided completely, but the way the party speaks about them must improve.

“Secondly, DAP has lost several leaders who were professionals and more policy-focused. They were capable of attracting support from Malaysian professionals, including segments of Malay professionals.


“One challenge for DAP is how to rebuild its image as a party that’s strong on policies, instead of being seen only as a party representing one community,” he said.

As part of this party renewal, Ong called for DAP to give more room to younger leaders who carry different ideas.

DAP will hold a special congress on Aug 16 to decide the party’s direction in the government, particularly whether its ministers and deputy ministers should resign from their posts.

DAP has said its 40 MPs would continue to support Anwar Ibrahim’s government in Parliament even if delegates vote for its leaders to leave their government posts.


The party suffered a wipeout in the Sabah polls in November and lost several key seats during the Johor state election last month.

Ong expected delegates at the DAP special congress to vote to withdraw from positions in the unity government, especially if its trend of disappointing election results continues in the Aug 1 Negeri Sembilan polls.

If the congress was held before the Negeri Sembilan and Johor elections, delegates probably would have voted to stay put, he added.