Recently, Boo Su-Lyn, a local columnist whose thought provoking articles have sometimes been the subject of controversy, questioned DAP’s sincerity over the state government’s decision to channel Tanjong Bunga state assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu’s allocations to the local MP, Zairil Khir Johari.
In her article, she jumps to the conclusion that DAP is ‘just as undemocratic as Umno’. Personally, I understand Boo Su-Lyn’s concerns and appreciate that she had taken some time to address this issue, however, making such a conclusion without understanding the story in its entirety is unwarranted and goes against the open system we try hard to achieve.
Democracy allows people (or in this case, the registered electorate) to choose their leaders and to hold their leaders accountable for their conduct while serving in office. Citizens are given rights to choose who to represent them and who to lead governments at both national and state levels. These elected representatives are then given the responsibility to represent respective constituencies, listen and respond to their needs, suggestions and criticism. But just what if those elected representative betray those whom he or she promised to represent, speak for and stand for?
When Teh Yee Cheu first openly declared his intentions to leave the DAP, the party leaders, grassroot leaders and also those who were close colleagues of his, sought to reach out to him in the best way they could. There were numerous attempts to hold private discussions and interventions but all were futile. Unfortunately, complaints were received and documented – most highlighted how he was unreachable or even ignoring phone calls altogether.
Additionally, he has also expressed interest to contest against DAP and the Pakatan Harapan state government in the upcoming 14th Malaysian general elections either as an independent or with a different party. Teh has yet to confirm which party he will be contesting under but photos of him taken with pro-Barisan Nasional political figures have begun circulating the internet.
The public must understand that Teh was elected on a party ticket – to serve as a ‘wakil rakyat’ representing DAP. Therefore, his decision to contest against the party is not only a betrayal to the party but indeed a betrayal to those who had voted him as a DAP representative in both GE12 and GE13, and such actions will be met with some level of consequences. The public must also remember that this is not exclusive to only DAP but is normal for any organization – both political and non-political organizations alike.
I must reiterate that the voters and residents of Tanjung Bungah are not being denied any of their rightful allocation, to think of this as true is extremely erroneous. Everything remains the same; the only difference is that a different elected representative has now been mandated to disburse the allocations. Do not forget that Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari was also elected by the voters of Tanjung Bungah and definitely not an outsider like what some outrageously claim.
While I personally feel discourse is one of the important elements needed to maintain a functional democracy and people are free to criticize elected representatives and political leaders, such criticism ought to be constructive. Any form of dissent or scrutiny should stem from the sincerity of obtaining the truth.