SHAH ALAM – Political analysts suggest that the DAP’s decision to convene a special congress to determine whether its leaders should vacate executive posts is less an act of rebellion and more a strategic manoeuvre to stabilising the party ahead of the 16th General Election (GE16).
Speaking to Sinar Daily, political analyst Anis Anwar described the development as a highly calculated step intended to bolster the party both internally and electorally.
“What DAP is doing here can be viewed less as a ‘rebellion’ and more as a sophisticated move to ensure organisational and electoral stability before GE16,” he remarked.
Anis described that the DAP has likely reached a ceiling in terms of support from its traditional non-Malay, specifically Chinese, electorate.
The current priority is not necessarily to expand, but to prevent the erosion of its existing base.
“In a mature party system, defending a high baseline can be more challenging than building it.
“Under the first-past-the-post system, even marginal shifts in turnout or protest voting can result in significant seat losses,” Anis added.
According to his analysis, the primary threat to the DAP is not a resurgence of old rivals like MCA or Gerakan, but rather voter fragmentation and emotional disengagement.
He warned that if credible alternatives emerge or if voters experience "reform fatigue," the damage could manifest through supporters switching to other opposition options or simply abstaining from voting altogether.
Anis highlighted the potential expansion of Warisan into Peninsular Malaysia as a significant factor, particularly if it coordinates with parties such as Muda and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM).
He stated that the mere existence of a plausible alternative can pull votes at the margins in urban and semi-urban constituencies.
Beyond external factors, Anis noted internal logic to the move. DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke is currently navigating both voter sentiment and internal factional pressures.
“The issue revolves around psychological legitimacy among both the electorate and the party grassroots. The promise of reform becomes political capital that internal rivals can use to question whether the current leadership remains relevant,” he said.
By referring the matter to a special congress, the leadership is effectively transforming a contentious strategic dispute into an "institutional referendum."
This relocates the burden of decision-making from the Central Executive Committee (CEC) to the party’s highest representative body.
Once a mass delegate vote is recorded, it becomes difficult for internal factions to contest the leadership's legitimacy, as the decision carries a high-level mandate.
Anis stressed, however, that this does not signal an exit from Pakatan Harapan (PH).
“DAP recognises that PH is its most durable bridge to government. Any move to fracture that bridge would be existentially risky. The emphasis is on recalibration within the coalition, not a departure from it,” he said.
Echoing these sentiments, political analyst Syaza Shukri said the move reflects strategic positioning rather than open protest.
“DAP’s move is best understood as an attempt to differentiate its role without collapsing the coalition.
“By making its executive participation subject to grassroots approval, the party is demonstrating that its involvement is conditional,” Syaza said.
This allows the party to prove to members and voters that it retains its autonomy and principles.
Syaza added that while the process is likely to strengthen the leadership’s mandate rather than result in an actual withdrawal from government, it reflects the ongoing tension between "governing pragmatism and ideological expectations."
Loke recently announced that the special congress will be held on July 12.
The assembly will decide if leaders should resign from government posts while continuing to support the Unity Government in Parliament.
According to reports from Sin Chew Daily, over 4,000 central delegates are expected to participate in the vote.
This marks the first time such a significant political decision has been referred to the party's highest decision-making body rather than being determined solely by the CEC.