Suee Lim: DAP leaders should accept state titles
INTERVIEW DAP leaders should accept state titles when offered, as this will counter the perception that DAP has adopted an anti-royalty stance, Sekinchan assemblyperson Ng Suee Lim says.
INTERVIEW DAP leaders should accept state titles when offered, as this will counter the perception that DAP has adopted an anti-royalty stance, Sekinchan assemblyperson Ng Suee Lim says.
There has been talk, Ng said, that DAP does not respect the Malay rulers and intends to depose them. As purported proof, its secretary-general Lim Guan Eng does not have any title, even though he is the chief minister of Penang.
"It has been four years (since Lim became chief minister) and but he did not accept any title, such as the ‘datuk seri'. It is as if he does not respect the Malay rulers, although it is a governor (who is the head of state in Penang).
"They (Umno grassroots and its NGO allies) use this issue to reinforce the minds of Malaysian Malays that the DAP is anti-royalty," he added.
The two-term assemblyperson first voiced his views on state titles during the DAP Selangor annual general meeting in November 2010, when state party elections were also held.
At the time, speculation was rife within the party that Selangor state assembly speaker Teng Chang Kim was due to receive his datukship soon.
Teng initially received flak from his party, which has an unwritten policy of rejecting state titles to protect its egalitarian image.
However, it later emerged that his datukship was awarded on the recommendation of the Selangor palace itself, in recognition of his work as the speaker. Rejecting it would be construed as an insult to the sultan.
Teng (
left
) was conferred his datukship during Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah's investiture ceremony on
Dec 11, 2010
.
He also emerged from the party polls as DAP Selangor vice-chairperson, with Seputeh MP Teresa Kok at the helm. Ng became the assistant secretary.
"It was a good thing that it was the Selangor sultan himself who recommended the award, so there was less of an issue (in the party)," Ng told Malaysiakini during an interview at his Sekinchan service centre earlier this month.
He said he would support the bestowing of state honours on DAP leaders chalking up more than three years of government service.
"Perhaps our excuse in the past was that we have yet to make any contributions (to the state). If we get a title as soon as we come into government, the people would question us, as if we are power hungry," Ng added.
However, with the DAP being part of the Selangor government now, he said, the old policy of not accepting state awards should be reconsidered.
"There are things we have done, so it is time for our leadership to review, reconsider and re-examine this and accept it on a case-by-case basis, not all.
"Maybe one at a time, in stages, so that we can counter any negative perception and the propaganda from Umno leaders in Malay-majority areas," he said.
Be wary about money politics
Ng was also asked about the Selangor DAP leadership, and whether he would stay with Teng's team.
During the 2010 state DAP elections, Ng contested under the ‘Rainbow faction' led by Teng, against the ‘Unity faction' headed by Kok.
"Yes, in the elections two years ago, I would admit that Teng and I were labelled as non-mainstream. We were quite alternative.
"However, we don't have a stand that is different from the party. We are together with the party's struggles and principles.
"What is different here is our approach. The formula that we proposed is a little different from that of our colleagues," Ng said, adding that he and Teng were quite critical, and that Teng was also very outspoken.
Regardless of these issues, he said, the Selangor DAP has been stable under the leadership of Kok ( right ), who he said listens to the members and prioritises party unity.
"Whether something is implemented or not is a question, but what is crucial is that she is prepared to listen. In the past, some people would not listen to dissenting views at all, but these are now heard.
"I see this as a positive development for the party and I hope that healthy competition is always encouraged," he said.
By the same token, he urged party leaders to keep a lookout for dirty politics, such as money politics and the slandering of party leaders.
"Since we are in power, there may have been a sudden surge in membership, including former MCA members coming in. They like to practise the politics that they had before, the politics they are used to, which is money politics in party elections.
"Thus, I ask our leaders to be wary of using money in politics. I am concerned that there are leaders who are starting to use money to win grassroots support," Ng said.
As to how he felt about not being appointed a state executive council member despite being a two-term assemblyperson, he said it is the norm in politics that those who are more senior are not necessarily those who get positions, and that he was not disappointed by this.
"But the important thing is that the evaluation was done properly. The party unity is preserved and the leaders can play their roles without hindrance and those appointed are performing their duties properly," Ng said, adding that he was satisfied that DAP was able to serve the people well.
However, if given the chance, Ng said he was confident that he would able to perform well as a state exco member.
"If fate allows and I have the opportunity some day, I will take this responsibility. I am confident that I can do my job well," he said.
"Not because I am brash or arrogant, no. I am confident based on my work on the ground. I dare say, I am among the grassroots leaders who are active on the ground.
"I hear not only the views of the leaders above, but also the grouses of the leaders below and the grassroots, even from Umno members airing their views in coffee shops. MCA members too... I have friends everywhere," Ng said.
Ng is also confident that Pakatan Rakyat would be able to retain control of Selangor in the next general election so long as there is a clean fight.
In part, this is due to the quality of Pakatan's leaders compared with the BN line-up.
"For (Selangor BN deputy chief) Noh Omar, with his thuggish, greedy and gangster character, I'm sure the people do not want such a leader.
"For Pakatan Rakyat, what about (Selangor Menteri Besar) Abdul Khalid Ibrahim? He is trustworthy and works hard from morning until evening, without rest.
"He is already rich, yet he chooses to suffer like this, being vilified and all that," Ng said, before singing praises about Selangor's achievements under Khalid's leadership, such as its RM2.2 billion reserves and lower rate of corruption.
This interview was conducted by Koh Jun Lin, Ahmad Fadli KC and Lee Way Loon.
THE NG SUEE LIM INTERVIEW
Part 1: Sekinchan rep's baptism of fire in politics
Part 2: Suee Lim: DAP leaders should accept state titles
Part 3: Khir the gentleman, not Noh Omar, not by a long shot
