Lim Guan Eng’s “perceived arrogance” and DAP’s so-called “Liberal Party” moniker have worked against them.
Associate Professor Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk said Lim, who served as finance minister from 2018-2020, had “made enemies” when in power.
He said Lim and DAP are still seen as “anti-Malay and anti-Islam”. That has worked in favour of Umno and Pas, which are more than happy to make DAP the boogeyman.
“When Lim was finance minister, there were allegations fishermen and rubber tappers lost some subsidies. The majority who supposedly lost out were Malay Muslims,” said Azeem.
For the record, Lim, had in 2018, refuted claims by the Opposition that the government had cut allocations towards the uplifting of Bumiputera and rural communities. He stressed rural development was a top priority for the then Pakatan Harapan government as stated in Budget 2019.
“The Umno and Pas propaganda machine worked overtime to label Lim and DAP as anti-Malay and anti-Islam. That image has stuck.
“Now that Lim has succeeded his father as chairman of DAP, he has to regain the trust of the Malays and other non-Chinese voters.”
Azeem also said Lim has to mend fences with regional leaders such as Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who had said that he would not work with DAP.
“Personal relationships among party leaders are important. It seems Guan Eng does not have a good relationship with regional leaders like Abang Johari.
“If he does not have Abang Johari and Sabah’s (Datuk Seri) Shafie Apdal’s support, it will be hard for DAP in GE15.
“At best, DAP can win between 40 and 50 seats (in the next general election). It needs to find the right partners for it to have any hope of being a part of the next government. The minimum (number of seats) needed is 112,” said Azeem.
He added Lim and the other new leaders in DAP need to find common ground with other opposition leaders.
“They need to work closely with leaders from PKR. People like Rafizi Ramli, who is planning a comeback, and Nurul Izzah Anwar, are the future of the party.”
Azeem said that although DAP portrays itself as a multi-racial party, in reality, it is Chinese dominated, as seen in last weekend’s party elections.
Only three Malays made it to the DAP’s central executive committee (CEC).
“The good thing is that DAP has a high degree of continuity in leadership, as Lim has taken over from his father, who is now the party mentor. The elder Lim still has strong support,” said Azeem.
“Gobind (Singh Deo), who won the highest CEC votes, is the son of DAP stalwart, the late (Datuk Seri) Karpal Singh.
“DAP, however, mainly contests in Chinese majority seats, and as such, is beholden to their constituents.
“That means, whatever decision that DAP takes, must also take into account the sentiments of its constituents. That is why it is difficult for DAP to work with Pas or Umno. The constituents of all these parties would not accept it.”
He said that DAP did form a brief alliance with Pas previously, but that “marriage” ended in tatters.
