Latest news with #VSivakumar
Malaysiakini
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Does DAP CEC meet essential criteria?
LETTER | Lately, there has been criticism over the latest DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC) lineup. Doubts have arisen on whether the appointment of short-lived human resources minister V Sivakumar and Buntong assemblyperson M Thulasi to the DAP CEC would boost the support of the Indian community. To me, such a narrowing down of these two DAP leaders to ethnic support reinforces the ethnocentric dimension of Malaysian politics, which seems to be clueless about what exactly is needed to inspire a real change in the country. The incorporation of these personalities and all those who are in the CEC should be assessed not on whether they are capable of representing a certain community, but whether they are passionately able to address issues related to social justice that transcend sectarian feelings. Here are the following criteria that transcend the sentiments of race and religion, which are also relevant to other political parties that would want to promote the common good. People-centric leaders Are the people in the CEC people-centred and articulate the real needs of the people, or are they obedient to the dictates of certain leaders in the party? Are they able to practise the freedom of conscience on critical issues affecting the life and liberty of Malaysians? Are they able to work with political opponents within and outside the party for the good of the people? Grassroots work Are the people in the CEC genuinely involved in grassroots issues related to services and urban poverty by engaging local and state governments? Is there a push for local government polls, or are they finally accepting the irrationality of ethno-religious justification for denying local government elections? Advocates for sustainability Are CEC leadership and members doing what is right to protect the environment and pursuing sustainable practices? What is happening in the reclamation exercises in Penang reveals the kind of leaders who adhere to neo-liberal economic ideology that is antithetical to sustainable development goals. Advocates for workforce's poorest Are the CEC members involved in advocating labour issues and reforms? It is rare to see DAP leaders speaking out for contract workers or migrant workers who provide services to the government and private sectors, who are not adequately represented when dealing with labour issues. Advocates for constitutional rights Are the CEC leadership and members articulate the objective truths related to the rule of law, human rights and the independence of the judiciary? We can't hear much from the DAP since they became part of the coalition government. Advocates for global justice Are CEC members genuinely concerned about issues such as the Palestinian cause, global hegemony by superpowers, and those that affect the family of nations? I have yet to see intellectuals in the DAP who are able to articulate on global issues that have implications for developing countries, including Malaysia. It is time for the public to assess the DAP on these criteria instead of narrowing down issues to ethnic sentiments, which merely reinforces ethnocentric politics in the country. The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
Malaysiakini
3 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Does DAP CEC meet essential criteria?
LETTER | Lately, there has been criticism over the latest DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC) lineup. Doubts have arisen on whether the appointment of short-lived human resources minister V Sivakumar and Buntong assemblyperson M Thulasi to the DAP CEC would boost the support of the Indian community. To me, such a narrowing down of these two DAP leaders to ethnic support reinforces the ethnocentric dimension of Malaysian politics, which seems to be clueless about what exactly is needed to inspire a real change in the country. The incorporation of these personalities and all those who are in the CEC should be assessed not on whether they are capable of representing a certain community, but whether they are passionately able to address issues related to social justice that transcend sectarian feelings. Here are the following criteria that transcend the sentiments of race and religion, which are also relevant to other political parties that would want to promote the common good. People-centric leaders Are the people in the CEC people-centred and articulate the real needs of the people, or are they obedient to the dictates of certain leaders in the party? Are they able to practise the freedom of conscience on critical issues affecting the life and liberty of Malaysians? Are they able to work with political opponents within and outside the party for the good of the people? Grassroots work Are the people in the CEC genuinely involved in grassroots issues related to services and urban poverty by engaging local and state governments? Is there a push for local government polls, or are they finally accepting the irrationality of ethno-religious justification for denying local government elections? Advocates for sustainability Are CEC leadership and members doing what is right to protect the environment and pursuing sustainable practices? What is happening in the reclamation exercises in Penang reveals the kind of leaders who adhere to neo-liberal economic ideology that is antithetical to sustainable development goals. Advocates for workforce's poorest Are the CEC members involved in advocating labour issues and reforms? It is rare to see DAP leaders speaking out for contract workers or migrant workers who provide services to the government and private sectors, who are not adequately represented when dealing with labour issues. Advocates for constitutional rights Are the CEC leadership and members articulate the objective truths related to the rule of law, human rights and the independence of the judiciary? We can't hear much from the DAP since they became part of the coalition government. Advocates for global justice Are CEC members genuinely concerned about issues such as the Palestinian cause, global hegemony by superpowers, and those that affect the family of nations? I have yet to see intellectuals in the DAP who are able to articulate on global issues that have implications for developing countries, including Malaysia. It is time for the public to assess the DAP on these criteria instead of narrowing down issues to ethnic sentiments, which merely reinforces ethnocentric politics in the country. The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
DAP shoring up unity, Indian support with CEC picks, says analyst
DAP leaders Lim Hui Ying and V Sivakumar, ousted at its March polls, have now been appointed to sit on the party's central executive committee. 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.
