Diversity at Party Elections Remains a Key Challenge, Says Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara
PETALING JAYA: National prominence alone will not guarantee candidates a win at DAP’s party polls on March 16, according to an analyst and a party insider.
Voting Patterns Have Changed
Sivamurugan Pandian, from Universiti Sains Malaysia, said voting in DAP is now a more complex affair as delegates not only expect the candidates to align with the party’s ideology but also look at who they are aligned with.
"Previously, DAP’s delegates voted based on the candidates’ stances on community issues and whether they uphold the party’s ideological principles," he told FMT.
Sivamurugan said these principles include social democracy, the restoration of the Federal Constitution’s original secular framework, freedom of religion, and equal economic opportunities.
"Now, they will also look at who the candidate is aligned with because delegates want a mix of members of the old guard and new leaders," he said, adding this would ensure a combination of hardliners and moderate voices.
Factional Divide
Last week, Sivamurugan said DAP appeared to be divided factionally between the party’s national chairman, Lim Guan Eng, and its secretary-general, Loke Siew Fook.
So far, four prominent DAP leaders have withdrawn from next month’s elections to the party’s central executive committee: national adviser Tan Kok Wai, national treasurer Fong Kui Lun, party veteran Phee Boon Poh, and DAP vice-chairman M Kulasegaran.
DAP’s Evolutionary Process
Sivamurugan said this was part of the party’s evolutionary process as it aligns itself with mainstream politics.
Internal Check and Balance
A party insider said Loke’s team, comprising fresher faces, is drawing support from more party members across multiple states, and is expected to win.
"However, this does not mean members of the old guard will not get in. The delegates will still want established members to monitor the newer ones.
"DAP has its own way of ensuring it remains both vocal and moderate. This is our internal check and balance," the insider told FMT.
Diversity a Key Challenge
Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman, who is vying for a spot on the central executive committee, said a number of Malay youths who are aligned with the party’s ideology have expressed interest in joining the party.
"The election is not about having more Malays in the party’s leadership. It is about having those who really want to contribute towards the growth of the party and community.
"For me, this is more important than how many Malays we have in the party," she told FMT.
Diversity: A Key Challenge to be Addressed
However, Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said diversity remains a key challenge in DAP’s elections, which the party must address.
He said that for the party to position itself as a mainstream multiracial party, it must actively work to dispel perceptions that it is Chinese-dominated.
"Chinese candidates rarely face hurdles in securing positions, but the party must focus on increasing the representation of Malay and Indian leaders," he said.
Conclusion
The upcoming party polls present a crucial opportunity for DAP to address the issue of diversity and ensure a more inclusive and representative leadership. The party must prioritize the nomination of Malay and Indian leaders to dispel the perception that it is Chinese-dominated and to demonstrate its commitment to being a mainstream multiracial party.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the key challenge in DAP’s party elections?
A: Diversity remains a key challenge, says Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara.
Q: What are the principles that DAP’s delegates look for in candidates?
A: The candidates’ stances on community issues and whether they uphold the party’s ideological principles, including social democracy, the restoration of the Federal Constitution’s original secular framework, freedom of religion, and equal economic opportunities.
Q: What is the current state of DAP’s party polls?
A: Four prominent DAP leaders have withdrawn from next month’s elections to the party’s central executive committee, and Loke’s team is expected to win.