Ti Lian Ker believes that Guan Eng should remain in DAP’s top leadership as the party needs a stronger “voice for the minorities”.
He said DAP’s promise to push for a level playing field, or its battle cry for a Malaysian Malaysia were at risk if the likes of Guan Eng, who have been seen to be championing these causes, were removed and replaced with “Mandarins”.
According to Ti, “Mandarins” was a reference to imperial officers who, in popular Chinese culture, used their influence and abused their power to remove those they perceived as threats and irritants.
They are often depicted as people who are eager to “kowtow” and please their political masters, he said.
Ti said ruling component parties had been plagued by such leaders in the past, with the “Mandarins” more interested in creating a comfortable zone by removing those they deemed to be a thorn in their side.
“This group is out to protect their own interests,” he told FMT.
The former deputy minister said these traits contributed to the decline in support for MCA among the Chinese community, and subsequently resulted in them shifting to DAP.
He said the likes of Guan Eng, his father Lim Kit Siang and the late Karpal Singh had no qualms about speaking out against authorities and calling for a level playing field as well as greater inclusivity.
“DAP should not repeat the mistake of voting in leaders who would be ‘yes men’ and were only interested in safeguarding their positions now that they were in the government.
“They may feel that by doing away with the likes of Guan Eng, they could distance themselves from their original struggle for a more inclusive Malaysia, which may have been misconstrued and created unease among the Malay community who they are also trying to woo,” he said.
Umno leaders have consistently urged DAP to consider dropping the Malaysian Malaysia slogan if it wants broader support in the Malay community.
Ti was responding to Guan Eng’s Facebook post earlier today, in which the latter denied that he was withdrawing from DAP’s central executive committee elections tomorrow.
FMT previously reported that there was a “concerted push” to oust him from his leadership position in the party.
Certain factions within DAP are advocating for Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow to take over as chairman.
However, a significant number of members support Guan Eng’s continued leadership, viewing him as a strong personality, unafraid to stand up to PKR and Umno
Ti said ousting the likes of Guan Eng may not go down well with DAP’s traditional supporters.
“Guan Eng is a bridge connecting the party with its supporters. DAP came into power as a result of this bridge. Burning it would be frowned upon,” he said.