DAP likely to be ‘flexible’ so as to retain principles

DAP is likely to adopt a strategy that will see the party remain in Pakatan Harapan, but not be bound to the coalition – an arrangement that would allow it to retain its principles, an analyst said.

Wong Chin Huat of Sunway University said such an approach will provide DAP some degree of flexibility to continue working with PKR and Amanah, yet remain in the opposition bloc should their allies decide to forge pacts with Umno and PAS.

He said such flexibility will be vital ahead of the 16th general election as DAP would need allies who can woo voters of various backgrounds.

At the same time the party has to deal with challenges created by Barisan Nasional (BN) and Bersama, apart from the risk of a low-voter turnout in the event PH joins an Umno or PAS-led coalition.

“DAP’s preparedness to return to the opposition is important to convince the party’s hardcore voters that there are red lines it won’t cross.

“Choosing principle over (federal) power would set it apart from the likes of MCA and Gerakan,” he told FMT.

Wong was commenting on DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook’s remarks on Sunday that the party did not rule out the possibility of contesting the next general election on its own rather than as part of PH.

Separately, Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid of Universiti Sains Malaysia said DAP supporters and grassroots would not fret over the party becoming the opposition once more.

He said as the opposition, elected representatives from DAP would be more vocal in highlighting issues affecting the public, especially the underprivileged who are among the party’s main supporters.

“For the grassroots, the freedom to be more outspoken on such issues is far more important than becoming part of a government that would force them to compromise (on their principles).”

Fauzi said there also seems to be a gap between the DAP leadership and grassroots when it came to views on forming a unity government.

Party leaders, he said, now have to convince the supporters of the benefits of being part of a unity government to implement certain policies.