Former DAP leader P Ramasamy has questioned the low turnout at his former party’s special congress yesterday, where delegates decided that DAP should remain in the government.
Ramasamy described the attendance of 2,223 out of 4,264 delegates, or 52%, as ‘abysmally low’ for a special congress where delegates were expected to vote on a major party decision.
‘Rather than looking at the number of those who attended and supported the motion, DAP should re-examine why nearly 50% of delegates did not attend the special congress.
‘If a high percentage of those who were absent had attended, there is a possibility that the motion could have been defeated,’ he said in a statement.
Ramasamy questions support for government
Ramasamy, a former Penang DAP deputy chairman, said the absence of nearly half the delegates indicated that ‘all is not well’ with DAP.
‘It could also be an indication of non-support for the motion to remain in the government,’ he said.
He added that DAP’s leadership should consider whether the decision made at the congress truly reflected the sentiments of the majority of party members.
Of the 2,223 delegates who attended the special congress yesterday, 2,099 cast their votes on whether DAP should remain in or withdraw from the government.
A total of 1,857 delegates voted for the party to remain in the government, while 242 voted for it to leave the administration.
Loke defends congress turnout
DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook said the turnout was considered high, noting that attendance during party elections usually reached only about 70%.
However, Ramasamy criticised Loke for playing down the turnout, arguing that the congress was not an ordinary party gathering because delegates had been called upon to make a major decision.
‘The Aug 16 congress was no ordinary congress. It was supposed to determine the political direction of the party in the wake of its poor electoral performances in the Sabah, Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections,’ he said.
Ramasamy expected higher attendance
Ramasamy said the congress had been portrayed in the days leading up to it as a critical moment for DAP.
‘The way the congress was dramatised in the days leading up to it was a kind of do-or-die moment for DAP.
‘Given the critical political juncture, it was expected that at least 80% to 90% of delegates would attend,’ he said.
