YOURSAY | 'DAP needs to go back to fundamentals to stay in govt long enough for actual changes.'

On DAP's 60th anniversary, Gobind urges party to push ahead on building united M'sia

LimeHorse5802: Reaching 60 years is a significant milestone. In Chinese tradition, it marks the completion of a full life cycle and represents not merely a celebration but a time for honest reflection on whether the original mission has been fulfilled.

DAP arrives at this point with an almost unanimous mandate from non-Malay voters over the last two general elections.

Such support carries expectations. The key question is whether that trust has translated into meaningful outcomes.

Reflection must be grounded in reality.

Have education opportunities for non-Malays improved in substance?

Are non-Malay small and medium Enterprises (SMEs) operating on a fair playing field?

If non-Malay SMEs are not actively supported, the least the system must ensure is that they are not being crowded out, sidelined, or structurally disadvantaged through policy and access barriers.

There is also the question of social confidence.

Has there been a real reduction in the fear of marginalisation and greater assurance in practising long-standing cultural and religious traditions, or do old anxieties persist beneath new messaging?

Has the party remained as vocal and assertive in government as it was in opposition, or has that edge softened over time?

Then there is the question of political support itself. Is continued backing driven by demonstrable performance, or by the belief that the alternative would be worse?

If it is the latter, then complacency becomes a real risk, and the mandate may gradually be taken for granted rather than earned.

Finally, has the rule of law strengthened? Symbolic gestures, including public expressions of remorse, cannot replace accountability in cases involving custodial deaths, missing persons, or serious crimes.

If these questions are answered positively, the milestone is well earned. If not, then 60 years should serve as a wake-up call, because at the end of the day, a 60-year cycle is not just about survival, but about whether the party still deserves to begin the next one.

Knucklehead2: DAP, there’s really nothing much to celebrate.

Frankly, you were stronger than the opposition.

Now, in the so-called unity government, you’re being pushed around, pulled down, and muted - too busy appeasing the boss and the alliance instead of speaking boldly.

But voters didn’t put you there to whisper behind closed doors. They expect courage, not compliance.

Stop playing to Umno’s tune. Stop bending backwards for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Both carry baggage that drags you down.

DAP must be firm. Take a stand. And if necessary, be brave enough to face the 16th general election alone. Because if you keep shrinking into silence, the others will sink you.

Time is short. Either declare your position publicly, or be prepared to be eliminated in the next general election.

Voters know what they want, and Sabah has already proven that overconfidence is fatal.

Outlier: If former DAP strongman Karpal Singh were still alive, he wouldn’t have stood for all this nonsense that is happening today and DAP’s cowardly behaviour.

He would have pursued the political aide Teoh Beng Hock’s case till the very end, go toe to toe with Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh and slam all these demolishing temple business in no uncertain terms.

Most of all, he would have honoured the DAP election manifesto even if it meant leaving the government.

I have watched Karpal’s fiery speeches from the roadside at the DAP Section 20 Paramount Garden PJ head office when growing up.

None of you guys even measure up to his toes in terms of oratory skills, and even more so, courage and principles.

There was none of this “discuss behind closed doors in the cabinet” business.

If DAP has any iota of principle left, it would leave the government and stand on its own platform in the next general election.

Pakatan Harapan is such a taboo now, and people mock it as Pakatan Jahanam.

Mario T: A “Malaysian Malaysia” was and perhaps is, DAP's vision.

It was then treated as a dangerous move by the long-standing Umno-based government.

Looking today at the more secluded thinking on race and religion, the achievement of national unity remains an illusion, though the government may superficially create an impression that unity is strongly and firmly grounded.

We live in this illusion that can only happen if all of us are treated equally.

Ipoh pp: @Mario T, it will remain an illusion as our wish to be treated equally will never happen in this country, which our forefathers helped to build with their sweat, tears and blood. It's a pipe dream.

However, DAP and its MPs can continue to enjoy the perks while still in the government.

OrangeGoat5810: Regardless of their shortcomings, this is the only party that has given us a glimmer of hope that such a thing can be achieved someday.

Which other party would even make a similar statement? Umno, Bersatu, PAS, PKR or Muda?

Every time there is a push towards their agenda, they are labelled enemies of the bumiputera, enemies of Islam, enemies of the sultanate.

Every time they don't, they are labelled as silent puppets. How then?

DAP chairperson Gobind Singh Deo and team, you are our only hope, but you need to go back to fundamentals to stay in government long enough to realise these changes.

No compromise on corruption.

Equality opportunities for all Malaysians.

No compromise on the sanctity of the judiciary and other institutions.

Keep at it, and we will continue voting for you to realise this dream.

The more you are seen not sticking to these values, the more voters you will lose every day.

Headhunter: DAP is still far from realising the vision of a “Malaysian Malaysia,” though that’s not entirely on them.

Over the years, they’ve had to deal with racism and religious prejudice from the majority race.

Even now, as part of the government, they continue to struggle for fair representation despite their efforts.

Anyone being honest would admit we’re still a long way from true unity, and if anything, the situation seems to be worsening.

It only takes a little provocation from certain groups to shake our fragile racial harmony, especially when the authorities choose to look the other way.

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