GEORGE TOWN: DAP's claims of being a multiracial party is not reflected in the party central executive committee (CEC) re-election on Sunday.
Universiti Sains Malaysia political analyst Professor Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said some had to be appointed to fill the numerous positions, just to "show" that the party was multiracial.
"The people may want to see a better balanced composition of ethnic background among those selected, but may be for them (DAP), it does not matter.
"As a multiracial party, it is certainly not reflected via election and some were appointed," he told the New Straits Times today when asked to comment on the composition of the CEC.
Sivamurugan said he does not know what criteria were used by the delegates to cast their votes, whether ethnicity was considered or other factors.
"The list stays as previous election for whatever reason. May be, closer to the 14th general election, they do not want changes," he added.
Of the 20 CEC members chose, only four were non-Chinese – Gobind Singh Deo, M. Kula Segaran, Zairil Khir Johari and V.N. Sivakumar.
Sivamurugan said the result was also indicative that the party was still dominated by supporters of the "Lim political dynasty", who wanted to see both father and son, Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng, lead the party.
He added that although there were protests against the party secretary-general, Guan Eng, who is facing corruption charges, it was not enough to overcome the support he still enjoys within the party.
"The loyalists were still elected and maintained their positions within the party," he added.
On the low turnout at the CEC re-election, Sivamurugan noted that it could be because delegates were expecting almost the same results as before, and might have chosen not to attend.
"For me, some delegates expected no major overhaul from the previous CEC elections and might have chosen not to attend.
"Also, some would have lost eligibility due to some reasons," he said.
He however stressed that it was apparent that those who lost stood a slim change in contesting in the next general election.
Meanwhile, former DAP life member, Dr Shamsher Singh Thind took Guan Eng to task over his re-appointment.
"Guan Eng, in 2012, you became the secretary-general for the third (and final) time. Regardless of what the Registrar of Societies (RoS) thinks, you and DAP always maintain that the 2012 election results were valid.
"Now, this means that you have 'correctly' served your three terms as the secretary-general. This also means that you are therefore 'disqualified' to be the secretary-general after 2015.
"Why then you allowed yourself to be appointed as the secretary-general again? You don't agree that the CEC needs a re-election but you want to enjoy the benefits that come with it? You are a disgrace!" he said, urging Guan Eng to step down now and let Gobind be the next secretary-general.
Shamsher also likened Guan Eng's situation to a man who was married to a woman against his will and does not accept her as his wife.
"However, he does not mind sleeping with her because he is entitled to it," he added.
He stressed that DAP's constitution was very clear – that the executive powers shall be vested in the secretary-general, and the secretary-general shall not hold office for a total period exceeding three terms, whether consecutive or otherwise.
Commenting on the same matter, former DAP member Rahmad Isahak said the low turnout was evident that there was a trust deficit towards the party leadership led by the Lim dynasty.
He said it was also testament that the party continued to reject the involvement of the other races, particularly the Malays and Indians.
"The low turnout, which is just the meeting's quorum, is a black history for the party and beyond expectation.
"It is a slap to the party leadership's face who is clearly comfortable in merely getting the Chinese votes," Rahmad, who is People's Alternative Party vice-chairman, added.
Rahmad also stressed that there was nothing for the Lim dynasty to be proud of the DAP CEC re-election result as 46 per cent of the delegates rejected them.
He said the time was right the Malay leaders in DAP to re-examine themselves and their relevance in the party.