Hard For Selangor DAP To Forgive

from Welcome to Malaysia-Instinct.com by zul@email.com (zul)

The warning that Selangor Pakatan Rakyat could fall in the next general election struck a chord with many DAP members.

The coalition appears to be at its lowest ebb after the divisive elections in Parti Keadilan Rakyat and DAP.

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang's warning at the state party convention last weekend indicates that the demands and public expectations of Pakatan are high.

Party officials are learning that managing the state is not easy.

One senior party member said Lim's warning should not be taken lightly.

"We realised there were so many issues to be dealt with only when we took over. It is not easy to make a decision when in government and this led to the start of some of the party's troubles."

The blame was pinned on DAP executive councillors, who were labelled as ineffective and "kowtowing" to PKR and Pas.

These issues took centre stage during a bruising campaign that ended with two factions sharing the votes.

While the battle may be over, the party now risks losing the war in the next general election.

Party members said the factions led by state assembly Speaker Teng Chang Khim and executive councillor Teresa Kok would close ranks quickly.

However, after the mudslinging between the two groups over the past two weeks, forgiving and forgetting will be easier said than done.

Ample proof of this was given by Segambut member of parliament Lim Lip Eng when he called for Teng to quit DAP and form his own party.

It was shocking for Lip Eng, who is from Kuala Lumpur and a supporter of Kok, to make this call when both sides called for unity after the polls.

However, several party leaders said experiencing turmoil was a necessary phase for the party to go through as it matured.

"It must be dealt with in a matured manner and if we don't get it right fast, we can forget about retaining Selangor."

Though Barisan Nasional component parties also have their problems, Pakatan has more to lose as it set a higher bar for itself.

Based on past records, BN parties get their act together before the polls but the same cannot be said of Pakatan.

To avoid falling further into a political abyss, the new DAP state committee must regain the confidence of members and, ultimately, the public.

Despite the unprecedented contest for the 15 positions in the committee, there is still continuity in it.

There are only three changes in the committee.

Those who didn't make it are controversial executive councilor Ronnie Liu and Kit Siang's former political secretary, Lee Kee Hiong; Tee Boon Hock had been sacked.

The new faces are Kok, Senator S. Ramakrishnan and Lim Soon Hong.

With little change in the line-up, hopes for reconciliation remain high and as shown by events at the convention, the key issue to be tackled is Tee's sacking.

This issue must be resolved at the national level as it's clear that the state committee will never come to an agreement on it.

How this can be done remains tricky.

Tee was sacked for allegedly using assemblyman Ronnie Liu's letterheads to issue support letters from the Klang Municipal Council to obtain business for family and friends.

Liu, who is believed to have been involved in the sacking, escaped with only a severe reprimand.

The delegates' rejection of Lim, who finished in 21st place, indicates that this issue is far from over and calls are being made to remove his as an exco member.

National leaders must deal with the issue instead of sweeping it under the carpet.

There are plans to raise this issue at the national congress next year.

Bonus
"Surely not, never forgive ..." says Jamilah Sultan Islamil