Ramasamy at odds with Sivakumar, Thulsi's appt to DAP's CEC: They'll have no impact on Indians
I REALLY wonder how the appointment of V. Sivakumar, the former short-lived human resources minister along with Buntong (Perak) state assemblywoman M. Thulsi to the DAP's central executive committee (CEC) can boost Indian support for the party.
I think DAP is finally experiencing the syndrome of closing the gates of the stables after the horses have bolted.
Appointing the two Indian politicians will have no significant impact on the party in terms of getting the support of the Indians in the country.
Indian support for DAP in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition reached its peak in the 2022 general elections. However, the support dropped in the state elections in 2023 and from then onwards, Indian support for both DAP and PKR declined firther.
The recent by-elections provide a good indication of the waning support for the so-called multi-racial parties such as DAP and PKR.
As these parties are focusing their attention on the Chinese and Malays respectively, the concept of multi-racialism has been rendered hollow and meaningless.
The rise of nepotism in PKR and the appeasement politics of DAP leaders predicated on power, positions and perks have rendered both unattractive to Indians.
Appointing Indian leaders without any support base among the grassroots Indians might not ingratiate the Chinese-dominated party to the rank-and-file Indians.
It is well and good to argue from the comforts of distance about the heroic efforts of DAP to enlarge its Indian support base.
The party has proven beyond reasonable doubt that it cares little for Indians and Malays. These ethnic groups are window dressing for the DAP to reveal its multiracial character.
By the way, multi-racialism is dead and gone in DAP or PKR. Indians cannot be lured into this political trap in the future.
Indians in the country want both [parties to lead them on the basis of dignity and pride. This is essentially what the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) intends to do. – June 26, 2025
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Focus Malaysia
6 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Ramasamy at odds with Sivakumar, Thulsi's appt to DAP's CEC: They'll have no impact on Indians
I REALLY wonder how the appointment of V. Sivakumar, the former short-lived human resources minister along with Buntong (Perak) state assemblywoman M. Thulsi to the DAP's central executive committee (CEC) can boost Indian support for the party. I think DAP is finally experiencing the syndrome of closing the gates of the stables after the horses have bolted. Appointing the two Indian politicians will have no significant impact on the party in terms of getting the support of the Indians in the country. Indian support for DAP in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition reached its peak in the 2022 general elections. However, the support dropped in the state elections in 2023 and from then onwards, Indian support for both DAP and PKR declined firther. The recent by-elections provide a good indication of the waning support for the so-called multi-racial parties such as DAP and PKR. As these parties are focusing their attention on the Chinese and Malays respectively, the concept of multi-racialism has been rendered hollow and meaningless. The rise of nepotism in PKR and the appeasement politics of DAP leaders predicated on power, positions and perks have rendered both unattractive to Indians. Appointing Indian leaders without any support base among the grassroots Indians might not ingratiate the Chinese-dominated party to the rank-and-file Indians. It is well and good to argue from the comforts of distance about the heroic efforts of DAP to enlarge its Indian support base. The party has proven beyond reasonable doubt that it cares little for Indians and Malays. These ethnic groups are window dressing for the DAP to reveal its multiracial character. By the way, multi-racialism is dead and gone in DAP or PKR. Indians cannot be lured into this political trap in the future. Indians in the country want both [parties to lead them on the basis of dignity and pride. This is essentially what the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) intends to do. – June 26, 2025 Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Sinar Daily
6 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Fresh Off the Rafizi-Izzah Boat: When idealism inspires, pragmatism delivers - but only integrity sustains
POLITICS is often seen as a battle of ideas, policies and personalities. But beneath the speeches, campaigns and headlines lies a more nuanced truth: politics is fundamentally about managing differences. And at the heart of this management is leadership. Two dominant forms of political leadership are often contrasted: the idealist and the pragmatist. Neither is inherently better; they simply represent different paths through the thicket of governance. Idealistic leaders like former Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli are defined by their commitment to principles, ideals and often a transformative vision for society. They do not easily yield to political expediency, preferring to risk popularity for the sake of what they believe is right. Their leadership is built on moral clarity and a desire to reshape the status quo. Another instance is Nelson Mendela. Though pragmatic at times, Mandela held fast to a vision of racial reconciliation and democratic freedom in South Africa. He endured 27 years in prison without renouncing his beliefs, later emerging not with bitterness but with a clear moral vision that reshaped a nation. Idealistic leadership often inspires. It can challenge entrenched norms and galvanise support for long-term reform. But it can also struggle in systems that require compromise. Without negotiation, idealism risks becoming inflexible, making progress difficult in ideologically pluralistic societies such as Malaysia where we have conservative and liberal parties alike. In contrast, pragmatic leaders like newly-elected PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar prioritise dialogue, negotiation and unity. Their strength lies not in pushing a single vision, but in harmonising competing interests. This style is especially valuable in divided or transitional societies where building consensus is crucial. Angela Merkel also exemplified this approach. As Germany's Chancellor for 16 years, Merkel was less known for grand ideological crusades and more for her steady, pragmatic leadership. Her ability to balance competing domestic and European pressures kept Germany stable through crises ranging from the eurozone debt debacle to the refugee influx. Pragmatic leadership may lack the stirring rhetoric of idealists but it often achieves results by building broad support. However, they risk alienating those who seek more transformative change and can be criticised as lacking boldness or moral clarity. Beyond style, leadership in a democracy is also defined by integrity particularly in the face of dwindling support. A crucial test of leadership is not just how a leader gains power, but how they respond when that power wanes. When Jacinda Ardern resigned as New Zealand's Prime Minister in early 2023, citing burnout and a belief that she no longer had 'enough in the tank' to do the job justice, it was seen by many as an act of integrity. Ardern stepped down not because she was forced out, but because she believed the country deserved a leader fully able to meet its demands. Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli resigns as Economy Minister, effective June 17. Shortly after, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad announced his resignation as Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, effective July 4. (BERNAMA PHOTO) Do Rafizi and fellow PKR comrade Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who is also former Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, believe they are not deserving of being ministers because they have lost support from their party? Most likely. Is it the right thing to do? There is no clear answer except maybe it is better not to overstay their welcome like certain politicians. In some cases, leaders who cling to office even when public or party support has evaporated is enabled by support from the establishment either the military, judiciary or party machinery. Technically legitimate, such support can raise questions about democratic accountability. Should leadership hinge on institutional backing or on the people's will? In the United Kingdom, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was eventually forced to resign in 2022 after a series of scandals eroded trust within his own party. The system did not require a general election to enforce accountability but the party did. The resignation was seen as necessary to uphold the integrity of the office and the democratic process. There is no universal rule on when a leader should step down. Situations vary, as do systems of governance. But what matters is the leader's relationship to the democratic process and the people they serve. If leadership becomes detached from public legitimacy, the foundations of democracy weaken. In Islamic tradition, leadership is not merely a position of power but a sacred trust ( amanah ). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasised accountability, humility and service to the people. He is reported to have said, 'Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock,' highlighting that leadership is fundamentally about stewardship rather than authority. The early caliphs, particularly Abu Bakr and Umar, exemplified this ethos. Abu Bakr, upon becoming the first caliph, declared: 'I have been given authority over you, but I am not the best among you.' This humility set a standard where leaders were expected to consult, be accessible, and step aside if they failed to uphold justice. In Islam, the legitimacy of leadership is tied closely to moral integrity and the welfare of the ummah. Thus, a leader who loses the trust of the people or can no longer act in their interest is duty-bound to relinquish their position, not out of weakness but out of fidelity to the ethical foundations of leadership. In politics, ambiguity is not a weakness. We can debate endlessly whether idealism or pragmatism is more effective. We can scrutinise the timing of resignations and argue over what 'support' really means. But often, there is no singular right answer. Leadership, like politics itself, is contextual, dynamicand deeply human. What we should demand, however, is a leadership grounded in integrity, mindful of its role in a democratic society. Whether idealist or pragmatic, the best leaders understand that power is not a right but a responsibility. And when that responsibility can no longer be fulfilled with legitimacy, stepping aside is not a defeat but it's a reaffirmation of democratic values. Syaza Shukri, PhD, is an associate professor and the current Head at the Department of Political Science, IIUM. The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of Sinar Daily.
Free Malaysia Today
7 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Indian CEC members just ‘window dressing' for DAP, says Ramasamy
Urimai chairman P Ramasamy says Indian support for DAP reached its peak in the 2022 general election. PETALING JAYA : A former DAP assemblyman has poured cold water on the suggestion that the appointment of Indian politicians to the party's central executive committee (CEC) will boost its support from the community. P Ramasamy said Indian support for DAP reached its peak in the 2022 general election. He said this support dropped in the 2023 state election, and that the backing of the Indian community for DAP and PKR had decreased since then, citing as an example the results of the recent by-elections. Ramasamy, who now chairs Indian-based party Urimai, said the focus by PKR and DAP on Chinese and Malay voters had rendered the concept of multiracialism 'hollow and meaningless'. He described the appointment of Indian politicians to DAP's CEC as 'window dressing for DAP to reveal its multiracial character'. 'Appointing Indian leaders without any support base among the Indian grassroots might not ingratiate the Chinese-dominated party to the rank-and-file Indians,' he said in a statement, referring to former human resources minister V Sivakumar and assemblyman M Thulsi Thivani. Sivakumar and Thulsi were among 10 members appointed to the CEC, which met on June 23. Earlier today, FMT reported analyst James Chin as saying that DAP's decision to appoint Sivakumar to its CEC was because the party wanted to shore up its Indian support.
