DAP’s exit will weaken government and bring election closer, says PKR lawmaker

SHAH ALAM – DAP’s decision on whether to remain in the Federal Government could have wider consequences for Pakatan Harapan (PH), with Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung describing the party’s current dilemma as part of a broader political crisis facing the coalition.

Speaking during Sinar Daily’s Top News Podcast: Time to Fix the System, Lee said DAP’s decision to convene a special national congress reflected concerns within the party and among parts of its support base.

He said DAP was likely facing pressure from sections of the Chinese community, particularly because of the expectations placed on the predominantly Chinese-based but multiracial party.

“I think they have their own anxieties, and that has led them to call for this assembly. I can certainly understand and sense where those anxieties are coming from.

“I see this as a kind of cushion for DAP, giving the party an opportunity to be answerable to those who supported them and those who had expectations of the party. In my opinion, however, it makes little difference to the bigger picture,” he said.

Lee, who recently resigned from PKR's central leadership council after 18 years, said some of the expectations placed on DAP supporters were realistic, while others might be difficult for the party to fulfil, adding that the congress could provide its leadership with an opportunity to address those concerns.

He stressed that the challenges were not confined to DAP, arguing that the entire PH coalition was facing a difficult period.

“To me, the whole of PH, not only DAP, is in serious trouble. I would not call it an existential crisis, but it is a crisis of a scale that I think they have never experienced before,” he said.

Lee said recent electoral developments, including the outcomes in Negeri Sembilan and Johor, should prompt PH leaders to seriously reassess the coalition’s political standing and its relationship with voters.

“If you are the PH chairman or a DAP leader, you should be concerned when you look at the results in Negeri Sembilan and Johor. The whole situation requires serious consideration, not just by DAP but by the entire coalition,” he said.

On whether DAP should withdraw from the government, Lee said the decision ultimately rested with the party, although either option could bring significant political consequences.

“It is ultimately up to DAP. I cannot make that decision for them, but I can outline some of the possible consequences,” he said.

Lee said a DAP withdrawal from the government could weaken the administration and potentially bring the next general election closer, while remaining in the government could allow the current administration to continue for longer.

“If DAP chooses to leave now, the government would be significantly weakened, and that could bring the election closer. If it chooses to stay, the current government could potentially continue for a longer period,” he said.

He added that the impact of DAP’s decision would extend beyond the party and PH, as other political parties would also have to reassess their respective strategies.

“Whether it is good or bad for DAP, PKR, Barisan Nasional or Perikatan Nasional is ultimately a matter of political calculation. Different parties will have to assess the consequences based on their own interests and strategies,” he said.

Lee also expressed concern that the current political environment was leaving less room for progressive politics.

“What concerns me is that progressive politics appears to be losing space within the broader political narrative. In my view, that is a sad development,” he said.

DAP is set to hold a special national congress this Sunday, with its delegates expected to decide whether the party should remain part of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government until the current parliamentary term ends in December next year.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke previously confirmed that the party’s Central Executive Committee had agreed to convene the congress, with about 4,000 delegates eligible to vote on the motion.

The meeting comes as DAP faces growing pressure over the government’s handling of corruption cases, racial and religious issues and the pace of promised reforms, which have contributed to concerns over support among ethnic minorities and progressive voters.

The pressure intensified following the Negeri Sembilan state election, where PH suffered its third consecutive defeat in a regional election. Loke also lost his seat in the state legislature after 13 years.  

Loke later stepped down as DAP Negeri Sembilan chairman following his defeat in the Chennah. The Nilai assemblyman and National DAP vice-chairman J. Arul Kumar was appointed as the new Negeri Sembilan DAP chairman, effective Aug 10. 

The Aug 16 congress in Putrajaya is therefore expected to provide a clearer indication of DAP’s position within the unity government and its strategy heading towards the next general election.