IT IS perfectly normal for political parties – prior to their becoming irrelevant – to pull last-minute stunts to project an image of vibrancy and vitality.
These so-called twilight-zone political parties simply cannot accept the fact of the erosion of their political power and relevance.
Take the case of DAP that supplanted the MCA, Gerakan and to some extent, the MIC.
For nearly 18 years, DAP by virtue of its role in state and federal governments behaved as though it was irreplaceable.
Then came the shock of the Sabah state elections where DAP was reduced to ruins.
DAP thought that it could salvage its image in the Johor state election but instead lost ground to Barisan Nasional (BN), particularly the MCA and the MIC.
The revival of UMNO’s strength contributed significantly to the electoral gains of these two component parties in the BN coalition.
Glaring double standards
Now, DAP leaders are painting a picture that the Aug 1 Negeri Sembilan (N9) state elections might be different from Sabah and Johor.
As preparations for the N9 polls get underway, DAP apart from endlessly engaging in political rhetoric about its relevance has pulled a particular stunt that has proven to be a laughing stock.
In Melaka, the party withdrew from the state government, citing the appointment of nominated, non-elected members to the state legislature as the reason.
Recall that it was the same DAP that supported the appointment of non-elected members to the Pahang state legislature.
Why was the appointment of non-elected members to the Pahang state legislature acceptable but not in Melaka?
Recently, Johor, too, increased the size of its legislature through the appointment of non-elected members. But since DAP is not part of the Johor state government, it had no role in the matter there.
My question is thus simple: why did the DAP take offence in Melaka but not in Pahang?
DAP pulled the political stunt of leaving the Melaka state government merely to demonstrate its political relevance ahead of the N9 state elections.
How about leaving PH?
By portraying and demonstrating that it could still play the role of the opposition, DAP wanted to ingratiate itself with the hearts and minds of the non-Malay community, particularly the Chinese.
Ideally, it was DAP at the national level that should have left the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led federal government.
Despite assurances that the party would hold a national congress to determine whether it should leave the federal government, it remains undecided having caught in the trap of power, positions and perks.
It is laughable to think that the political stunt in Melaka could energise the DAP for a major victory in the N9 state polls.
It is clearly written on the wall that DAP despite its promises of reform and the protection of the rights of non-Malays in the country, remains a political party caught in a political trap from which there is no return to its past glory.
There is nothing magical about the trajectory of the N9 state elections that will give a second chance to DAP or to the moribund PH coalition. – July 17, 2026
Former DAP stalwart and Penang deputy chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
