August 3, 2000
DAP cannot survive without BA
I refer to your report, DAP to review ties with PAS in opposition alliance
(Aug 2).
Allow this DAP supporter to express her views so that the leadership is more
balanced in its considerations.
The immediate question is, should they break up, where would DAP go from
there? Back to the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, and fight alone as the "champion
of Chinese and non-Muslims"?
Is there a united position of "Chinese and non-Muslims" for DAP to be the
"champion" again? Wouldn't DAP land on a neither-here-nor-there position,
distrusted by all because it was DAP which convinced us to support PAS and
now it is the same DAP under the same leadership which is going to tell us
not to support PAS?
Tactical and strategic flexibilities have a limit in real life and once the
limit is crossed, especially in too short a time, it will become opportunism
and perceived to be such.
DAP was right in joining BA and because of that it has inspired many
between Tuan Guru Nik Aziz and 450 Christian church leaders. DAP cannot
spark off something and dispose of it abruptly without causing real
resentment and distrust.
DAP leaders must realise that in real and normal human society, engagement
involves human sentiments and emotions, especially where a large number of a
cross-section of people are involved. Engagement and disengagement has a
larger emotive and socio-political impact than a personal divorce. DAP
leaders must not be too strongly influenced by some freelance writers,
journalists or commentators who think and write in non-emotive ivory towers
or editorial rooms, and who would not bear any socio-political
responsibility.
Above all, DAP leaders must be aware of the new psywar operation in the form
of e-mail, which might mount some undue pressure on them if they are so
naive to believe that one e-mail necess!
arily represents one physical or real
Malaysian who is eligible to vote (some would send e-mail from London or
Melbourne urging DAP this or that without feeling the need of coming back to
Malaysia to work or vote).
They must also realise that The Star is controlled by MCA and NST, Umno,
both of which have a vested interest in seeing the opposition front split
up. Assuming now DAP has disengaged from BA and come next general elections,
how would DAP operate? Fighting alone against MCA/Gerakan, and a united
PAS-Keadilan-PRM in a three-corner battle?
And that's not counting splinter parties like MDP? Will DAP have the
resources to fight its sectarian war against all? What is the meaning of
fighting? Will DAP not become the spoiler of the chances of the opposition,
given that voters do not like opposition contesting against opposition? Will
Keadilan and PRM also withdraw from BA and join DAP in a new alliance,
against Umno/BN and PAS? Can!
Keadilan and PRM trust DAP, given DAP's past
record of abandoning other parties and even its own comrades?
Why should DAP expect Chinese and non-Muslims be as united as in the 1960s,
1970s and 1980s, to vote for DAP given the new realities that:
1) They can now also support and vote for Keadilan and/or PRM which are more
multi-ethnic and multi-religious, and organisationally stronger than the
declining and diminishing DAP? In fact, many younger generation Chinese
joined Keadilan instead of DAP.
2) Increasingly, many Chinese and non-Muslims have learnt to appreciate PAS'
respect for and sincere commitment to their cultural and religious heritage
in Kelantan and Terengganu; some Christians have even discovered their
common ground with PAS' Islam in the Abrahamic notion of justice and
solidarity; and
3) Many in the Chinese small- and medium-sized industries believe that only
an opposition with strong Malay/Muslim support and following is!
real and
effective choice for checks-and-balances, or for providing an alternative
government; they will not vote for DAP if DAP fights alone as a "Chinese
champion".
And DAP leaders must not forget that there are still many talented and
financially strong ex-DAP, ex-Labour and ex-Barisan Sosialis leaders and
their supporters who are waiting at the flank for the break to give their
open and formal support to Keadilan, PAS and PRM. They are now only
constrained by the formal relationships of DAP with BA. My dad would say,
"Just give face to DAP because there are Keadilan, PRM and PAS in BA."
These people can form a more representative Chinese group to assist PAS and
Keadilan and PRM, and throw DAP/MCA/Gerakan out of the mainstream politics.
Be forewarned.
What about the so-called "liberal" Muslims? Will they support DAP if DAP
disengages from PAS? Not likely. Some of them will continue to vote for Umno
and BN so that they can get sc!
holarships or a place in one of the
think-tanks associated with the contending personalities in Umno; another
group will continue to support PAS, Keadilan and PRM to continue the great
reformasi movement.
So, with the Chinese ground becoming multi-polar and multi-faceted, and the
Malay/Muslim ground firmly divided into two big camps, I really do not know
how DAP will be able to survive outside the Barisan Alternatif framework.
Young DAP leaders must go out themselves to get more views and advice
instead of just heeding the e-mail received by Lim Kit Siang or Kerk Kim
Hock.
Lee Siew Mei
Batu Pahat
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