IPOH – Although Perak is known for its chicken rice and bean sprouts, DAP’s state chapter is being served a plate of “frogs” – or party-hoppers – as the main dish at the state chapter’s election tomorrow.
The state itself has garnered the unfortunate renown of being “frog” central, where three changes of governments have happened: once in 2008, and twice last year – thanks, in no small part, to party-hoppers.
Just earlier today, the party’s state chapter rid itself of seven members after they accepted positions from the ruling Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition.
While Perak DAP has been under the leadership of cousins Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham and David Nga Kor Ming for close to 30 years, they have indirectly contributed to the trend of party-hopping.
It started with former Jelapang assemblyman Datuk Hee Yit Foong, who, in 2008, triggered the fall of the then-Pakatan Rakyat government in Perak by quitting DAP.
Hee cited her fallout with the cousins as one of the main reasons behind her departure.
History repeated itself last year when DAP reps Paul Yong Choo Kiong (Tronoh), A. Sivasubramaniam (Buntong), and Leong Cheok Keng (Malim Nawar) quit in a huff – and their actions helped bring down the Pakatan Harapan state government, after Bersatu called it quits as well.
Last December, Bersatu was in turn ousted by Umno, which now rules the state with its Barisan Nasional partners. Yong joined Bersatu earlier this month, while Sivasubramaniam went with Gerakan before leaving the party for Bersatu.
Two DAP veterans have had enough of this situation and are staging a comeback to counter Ngeh and Nga’s rough-and-tumble leadership style. Kampar MP Thomas Su Keong Siong has recovered from his heart issues and is now teaming up with DAP vice-president M. Kula Segaran to offer an alternative to the veteran cousins.
The duo have decided to become “frog hunters”, saying that their calming disposition will resonate better in Perak at this time. Although Yong, Sivasubramaniam, and Leong are no longer in DAP, their defections have become campaign fodder for them.
“Look here: the people who hopped last year were regarded as close associates of the Perak DAP leadership – yet they quit,” said Su. “There are push and pull factors here. We want to put a stop to it.
“One cannot be blaming others all the time. Leaders must take responsibility for the downfall and the controversies – otherwise, there is no accountability.”
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It remains to be seen how successful the comeback can be, as Su and Kula – both lawyers – were trounced in 2010. Perak – with its 59 state seats – is considered a DAP stronghold with 2,100 delegates earning the right to vote at the Ipoh Convention Centre tomorrow.
Also, there are other dynamics in play. While Su and Kula are close associates of DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, Ngeh and Nga are regarded as confidantes of DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.
Guan Eng is speculated to become party chairman after Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai made known his wish to retire.
The delegates are expected to allow the Lim dynasty to flourish yet again. This could point to the continuing leadership of Ngeh and Nga in Perak.
Su is hoping for an upset, saying the grassroots are fed up with the politicking, and that it is time for potential frogs to become “handsome princes”.
Political observers should also not discount the neutralists in the party, such as Perak DAP vice-chairman Abdul Aziz Bari and DAP Youth chief Howard Lee Chuan How.
The delegates are also expected to raise issues on Covid-19, the down-sliding economy, and DAP’s role in an uncertain political landscape as Umno becomes desperate to regain power and as Bersatu is trying to retain it. – The Vibes, March 12, 2021
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