3 reasons why DAP is alive and kicking despite the odds

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Can the DAP recover?

By Lim Teck Ghee

A key reason for the loss in popular support for the DAP is due to its position in a stuttering fragile coalition which underperformed on many fronts. But much of the damage has been self-inflicted.

Wrongly reading the political mood of the country or perhaps hoping to divert public opinion from its lacklustre post-election performance, the incessant targeting of former prime minister Najib Razak and the endless playing of the “kleptocracy” record has become a disaster.

No party will be able to hold on to power for any length of time simply by pointing out the sins and misdeeds of the opposition and repeating the same refrain ad infinitum.

It is what the party itself does in the way of fulfilling election promises and meeting the expectations of the electorate through improvements in the major areas of public concern that can provide the winning edge in the coming election.

In meeting expectations, the DAP should not have to surrender its centre left credentials or move away from an ideology embracing social democracy, liberalism, democratic socialism, localism and green politics.

Other countries, including some Islamic nations, are finding that repulsing the right-wing and conservative forces and coping with the new challenges of rapid socio-economic and environmental change and disruption requires not a change in political direction but the breathing in of renewed idealism and new leadership into the moderate position promoting social justice and equality.

This is the optimistic scenario for Malaysia.

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