DAP polls: Retaining the base and expanding it

The DAP polls and CEC make up yesterday confirmed one thing.

The one person known as the deity, Tokong, often described as arrogant by his critics was sent off.

Lim Guan Eng was relegated from top 10 in the previous CEC polls to the last 10 who made it into the CEC polls.

Infusing new blood into any political party is vital.

This is where the incoming third generation of leaders as described by Wan Hamidi is vital.

The party would be relying on individuals like vice chairman Syahredzan Johan, national publicity assistant secretary Young Syefura Othman and political education director How Lee Chuan How to woo the Malay crowd.

Equally essential is maintaining the support base.

And DAP’s support base are the non-Malay communities.

It is in this context that Lim Guan Eng’s role as a federal lawmaker is very important.

As loud and brash as he can be, he does not leave out the minorities in the scheme of things where Malaysian politics is concerned.

Guan Eng stands out in that sense.

Hence the big question now, who is going to inherit the role that Guan Eng has held for so many years?

The CEC line-up is by and large is made up of individuals who are part of the Cabinet.

In addition to that DAP’s parliamentary chief position remains vacant.

The ones who have been vocal alongside Guan Eng such as Teresa Kok and RSN Rayer did not make it into the CEC.

So now one must wait abated breath who would be DAP’s vocal parliamentary chief because none in the CEC, aside from Guan Eng, seems cut out for the role.

Or would DAP co-opt those who did not make it into the CEC to fill in the vacancy?

We shall wait and see.