TODAY is D-Day for DAP whereby more than 4,000 delegates will decide whether the party wants to remain in the PH-led coalition or not.
Anyway, the final verdict rendered by the delegates might not be surprising after all the drama behind the DAP party congress.
There are already indications that the party will stay put in the Madani government with certain caveats or conditions.
These will be added to the party’s decision to remain in the government.
I don’t think Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is unduly perturbed by DAP’s move whether to remain in the government or not.
Of all the persons, he knows that the party does not have much bargaining power given the onslaught of the Malay right-wing forces.
Even with 40 parliamentary seats and being the largest component in the PH alliance, DAP does not have much bargaining power.
It is like a gentle and tamed political party. Anwar knows this as well.
I am sure he knows the outcome of the delegates’ congress; given his obsequious ways, the DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook might have already briefed Anwar on the possible outcome.
As the premier and PH chairman, Anwar is fully prepared for the outcome, taking it without much trepidation.
Little chance of exiting
There is no way DAP will leave the government, as the conditions attached might be way out of the present predicament.
Having been in state power and later federal power, DAP is not emotionally prepared to abandon the government.
It is not that Anwar might not have the numbers to cobble up a new administration but DAP is not prepared to take the gamble.
If DAP leaves the government, then the return might not be possible because of the new political changes.
The decision by the delegates is a real test of whether DAP wants to be on the side of affected Malaysians or be with the government to enjoy the benefits of power, positions and perks –the 3Ps.
Whatever the outcome of the delegates’ decision today, one thing is for sure: the DAP cannot structurally and ideologically extricate itself from the government or the benefits of power and opportunities.
The class bias of DAP is too glaring for ideational radical changes.
@jason.yew “Otai-otai yang rasa terpinggir, kalau ada apa-apa kesilapan, saya mohon maaf. Kembalilah pada landasan perjuangan kita.” – PM @Anwar Ibrahim #KongresKEADILAN2026 #otaireformasi #anwaribrahim #partikeadilanrakyat #keadilanuntuksemua ♬ original sound – JASON Update
Immaterial of the decision of DAP, Anwar has awoken from his slumber and recognises that much needs to be done to reinvent the PH coalition.
At yesterday’s (Aug 15) PKR congress, he extended the olive branch to those who left the party to re-join the efforts to rejuvenate and revitalise attempts at reforms.
Anwar knows very well that the support from DAP cannot be taken for granted. The DAP knows this! – Aug 16, 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.
Main image: Bernama
