DAP polls: Whither the 'dissidents'

The upcoming DAP polls is set to make history as the most crowded race ever, and the focus is on whether the 'dissidents' will be squeezed out of the party's hierarchy.

Currently, 58 individuals are vying for the 20 spots up for grabs in the powerful central executive committee during the Aug 24-25 polls.

There were 73 nominations in total but 15 individuals have declined to accept.

A large portion of the nominations include new faces such as Petaling Jaya MP Tony Pua, Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong, Bakri MP Er Teck Hwa, Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi and and Sri Kembangan state assemblyperson Ean Yong Hian Wah.

Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng is expected to be given a thumping endorsement based on his role in DAP’s triumphant outing during the March 8 elections.

Delegates are likely to use the new pool of talent to elect a cohesive crew for Lim to command in a healthy mix of new and young faces.

Lim’s arch-nemesis and famous party rebel Teng Chang Khim is expected to face a rough ride in the CEC race given the expected overwhelming support for Lim.

In a recent interview with Chinese language Oriental Daily News, Teng who secured more votes from the delegates in the 2004 party polls than Lim, said he won’t be surprised if he fails to defend his CEC post.

Another highly vocal party leader Dr Boo Cheng Hau is also expected to face complications in his bid to be elected as a CEC member.

In 2004, the DAP Johor chairperson had narrowly missed a spot on the CEC by coming in 22^nd. He was appointed to the position later.

Making matters worse for the ‘dissident’ group is the claimed existence of a caitan or preferred candidates list endorsed by the top leadership.

The list allegedly sidelines all the dissidents, but its existence had yet to be verified.

Despite the rumours of a list, several party leaders interviewed were unperturbed as the emphasis would be a on a clean and fair elections.

A party leader who requested anonymity said that should the party’s "feudalistic" ways be maintained, it would make the new talents uncomfortable and lead to an exodus.

"The people in the CEC keep changing - take Fong Po Kuan (Batu Gajah MP) and Hew Kuan Yau for example - they sit on the CEC for a while and leave.

"Now there are new faces like Tony Pua and Hannah Yeo. Should they face problems in the CEC, it would be interesting to see how long they last. Those capable of thinking independently will not see eye-to-eye with the party leadership," said the leader.

DAP has a long history of sidelining detractors who criticised the party leadership. Among those who have fallen victim are Wee Choo Keong, Dr Kua Kia Song, Lee Lam Thye and Lee Ban Chen.

However, Malacca party chief Goh Liong San told Malaysiakini that the so-called 'dissidents' still have a role to play should they be elected to the CEC.

Disagreeing with the use of the 'dissidents' label, Goh said DAP must be able to have a diverse pool of views, even if these are dissenting ones.