Former DAP deputy chairman P Ramasamy has dismissed the party’s upcoming July 12 congress as nothing more than a “public relations exercise”.
He said the event would do little to pressure the government into implementing meaningful reforms.
Congress unlikely to change anything
Ramasamy, who now chairs Urimai, questioned the real purpose of the congress if its decisions would not affect DAP’s role in the federal and state governments.
“I suppose the congress is meant to reassure the party’s grassroots that the leadership is taking tangible steps to address outstanding issues,” he said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, it may not have any impact on the government, even if the congress results in the resignation of DAP’s elected representatives from their government positions.”
No real pressure on administration
Ramasamy pointed out that the government understands DAP will stay on its side no matter the congress outcome.
“There will be no pressure on its part to change or attempt to introduce reforms,” he said.
“My question is simple and straightforward: why then hold the congress?”
Yesterday, DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook announced that delegates at the congress would vote on whether party leaders should resign from positions as ministers, deputy ministers, state and local executive councillors, and GLC appointees.
Loke described the congress as an internal “referendum” after the party’s poor performance in the Sabah polls.
He stressed that, regardless of the vote, DAP MPs would continue supporting the government until the next general election and would not take part in any effort to form a “backdoor government”.
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