DAP shoring up unity, Indian support with CEC picks, says analyst
PETALING JAYA : DAP's decision to appoint Lim Hui Ying and V Sivakumar to its central executive committee (CEC) appears to be an effort to close ranks and boost Indian representation in the party, says an analyst.
James Chin of the University of Tasmania said both appointments had been expected, explaining that Sivakumar's selection reflected a push for ethnic diversity within the party.
'Sivakumar was appointed because they want to increase the non-Chinese voices, especially Indian voices, so that's okay.
'He is also a long-term DAP grassroots leader. It's good that he's there to provide an Indian balance,' he told FMT.
Chin said Lim's appointment signalled a mending of ties with the Lim family, following earlier criticism over their perceived dominance within the party.
'The party (appeared to) turn hard against the Lim family (during the CEC elections), so I think this is the party sending a signal they don't want to fight the Lim family.
'Hence, they allow two Lims to be in the CEC. It's very much a sort of a peace offering,' he said.
Hui Ying's elder brother, former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng, was elected to the CEC at the polls.
Akademi Nusantara's Azmi Hassan said Hui Ying's appointment may also be about allowing her to retain her position as deputy education minister. He said it would be hard to justify her place in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Cabinet otherwise.
'So, just to justify her presence as deputy minister, she is appointed to the CEC,' he said.
Azmi said Sivakumar's inclusion could raise questions, given that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission had investigated the human resources ministry during his tenure as minister.
'The stigma of being investigated by MACC makes it difficult to justify Sivakumar's appointment' he said.
In April 2023, Sivakumar rejected calls to resign or go on leave after MACC questioned him twice over alleged corruption in foreign worker recruitment.
Three of his aides were remanded but later released.
Sivakumar subsequently sacked five aides.
Lim and Sivakumar were among the 10 appointed to the CEC earlier this week. Both contested during the CEC elections in March, but failed to secure enough votes.
The others are Kelvin Yii, V Papparaidu, M Thulsi Thivani, Chen Kah Eng, Yeoh Soon Hin, Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali, Yap Yee Vonne and Wu Him Ven.
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