1 Feb 10 : 8.00AM
By Deborah Loh @ thenutgraph.com
DAP chairperson Karpal Singh is not one to shy from criticising his own political comrades and allies. For him, principles come first. And because of this, the fiery veteran has had no qualms about putting his colleagues in their places, often giving fodder to media speculation that the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) is on the verge of collapse.
There was the time when Karpal told Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to quit the PR for promoting a culture of party-hopping. He’s also lambasted fellow party leaders, secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and adviser Lim Kit Siang, for not supporting his anti-hopping stand.
He has consistently resisted the idea of an Islamic state, calling on both PAS and Anwar to come clean on exactly what one would look like. And he called PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang an “embarrassment” over proposed unity talks with Umno.
In the second and final part of an interview with The Nut Graph conducted in Kuala Lumpur on 20 Jan 2010, Karpal talks about the DAP’s way forward with PAS and PKR.
TNG: About the DAP. In a Chinese-based party, what is your influence as a non-Chinese [Malaysian] party leader? Are you what gives the party its fighting streak?
Karpal Singh: I don’t think so. I get my strong character from the party. I joined this party after the 13 May 1969 riots. I was practising law in Alor Star at the time. I thought something had to be done about what was going on. 13 May was a terrible tragedy. What was needed was a united multiracial society, which I thought could only be brought about by a multiracial party, and not the race-based parties of the time.
No doubt the DAP gets the most support from the Chinese [Malaysians], but that doesn’t make it a Chinese party. We don’t have as many Malay [Malaysians] as we want, which is a handicap to us. Somehow or other, the Malay [Malaysian] mind has been poisoned against the DAP. But I think Malay [Malaysians] now are changing.
In any event, that is being complemented by Malay [Malaysians] in Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and PAS. It does not matter whether they join us or PKR as long as they are in Pakatan (Rakyat). We have always admitted that it is difficult for us to make much of a headway. In 1999, we lost some seats in the general election over the Islamic state issue. (DAP parliamentary leader Lim) Kit Siang and I held very strong seats but we lost. But it is different now, with the three parties coming together.
What do you think Pakatan’s weaknesses are?
We have to be cohesive. We must be very united on major issues, and that is now true to a great extent. In 1999, our association with PAS was considered the kiss of death. It’s no more now.
We also have to be very careful with who we take in. Pakatan is popular and we don’t want opportunists to come into the party. There are a lot of people frustrated with the BN. Even if they are principled, we should wait for at least two years before entrusting them with leadership.
What are the priority areas in Pakatan’s common policy framework that can be implemented now?
Pakatan has been consistent on most things in the framework except for local council elections, which is a thorn. In our election manifesto we said that the first thing we would do would be to restore local government elections. This is not in the common policy framework in the manner which it ought to be.
Though we did not have a unanimous agreement, there is progress on the matter, and I think we can come to an agreement before the next general election. But an agreement is one thing. Whether you can lawfully hold local government elections is another. Can we hold it in view of the legislation against it? To overcome this, we must have federal power to make the necessary amendments.
On the DAP’s “middle Malaysia” approach to voters, is this a rebranding exercise?
Fundamentally, we have always been about a Malaysian Malaysia. To woo the middle ground, you have to have that concept. “Middle Malaysia” is about identifying the silent majority and reaching out to them, especially the young, whose thinking is entirely different, even among Malay [Malaysian] youth. By identifying them, we’re zeroing in on them and giving them the message that we are with them. This group will make the difference in the end.
Karpal have always been blunt …stubborn hot headed.. and stick to what he thinks are right or wrong.
If you notice carefully…he does not talk like a politician.
By that I mean…he does not twist and turn or talk with so call political diplomacy….yet he is 100% politician.
Somehow…he is more trusted and love by all Malaysians…in DAP.
Glad he is DAP President.. not for show.
He treats LKS like a brother.
He and LKS will see Penang be managed properly…by LGE or someone else…if necessary.
LKS and Karpal have worked too hard to let family ties and personal feelings get the better of both of them.
LGE will have two smart strong advisers.
Penang is safe with DAP…no matter what happens.
Karpal has got many important principles correct.
The recent spate of PKR defections cannot be stopped until the ‘opportunities’ that comes with being an MP is nipped. We must end political appointments. Else the same thing will just keep happening over and over again.
That is why local council elections are so important. With it, MP’s can no longer demand to be given a position in the council as ‘reward’ for loyalty to the party. In addition there must be some form of anti hopping laws. Finally the banning of MP’s that resign from re-contesting should be removed. These key points are important for returning democracy back to the people.
The three traitors from PKR should prove that they are not eunuchs should they hop like frogs to BN one day.These three bast…ds should resign as MPs if they choose to be frogs and hop.Lest it is an act of betraying those voters who elected them and also making a mockery of democracy.
YB Karpal is a man who is honest and frank
One of his mission being to fight injustice
Rebukes even own members no matter their rank
So as to seek improvement and good practice
by any measure Kit and Leg much more credible to dap than Karpal and deo . between Anwar and Karpal ,dap will take Anwar anytime . eat your heart out uncle Monsterball .
chengho, whose “Leg” are you pulling?
Karpal has attributes of a good man. Like comrades-in-arm Kit, Karpal has been vociferous and unyielding in fighting for human rights and civil liberties in Malaysia. One of the cornerstone of attributes is courage.(He’s dubbed Lion of Jelutong). He was not afraid for speaking up even if they sent him a bullet or the mob heckled him on the very doorsteps of Parliament. Why is Courage of principal importance? Because one may have many moral attributes but without courage one cannot defend, much less uphold any of them!
Then a good man is one thing : what about a good and worthy politician? Is he as good a politician, an Opposition politician at that, as he is good man? This is what we have to look at in the context of Deborah/Nut Graph’s interview of him.
An experienced and good politician has to balance between two sets of imperatives: (1) idealism/principles and (2) realism/pragmatism (compromises of those ideal principles based on real politik considerations). But examine the merits of these 2 imperatives in greater detail.
Idealism is important. It is the moral compass. It is good for the long haul. Without it, one drifts rudderless without direction on the waves of self interest and chance.
At the same time we cannot ignore things as they actually are in human affairs in this world of survival of the fittest – where people tend to cultivate their own selfish desires and wants to the needs of others and seek present rewards for themselves rather than sacrifice for the present and future good of all. Hence the short fall in politics anywhere. Politicians pedal dreams to garner votes and once elected often forget that they were voted into position of trust to implement benefit of their beneficiary voters. This state of affairs is especially true in a complex society like ours. The racial and religious differences offer even greater incentives to use these for one’s own benefit against bthe rest.
Even Pakatan Rakyat – conceived out of a marriage of convenience but given a glimpse of the possible (taking over Federal Government) because the marriage of BN has fractured and failed to deliver a progeny of good genes for the future.
We have here a motley group : DAP committed to high idealism; PKR with many rejects from UMNO still hoping for power to access the gravy train, and PAS, the vision to deliver God’s state on earth.
The experienced politicians of all 3 component parties therefore make, and have to make compromises to principles to forge the minimum united front necessary to dislodge the ruling coalition
This is where Karpal plays a vital role: by criticising DAP and Pakatan Rakyat on occasions that they veer too far from original idealism on the side of pargmatism, he is, in his way, endeavouring the keep the “balance” between idealism and pragmatism, a balance necessary to keep the coalition credible.
Karpal – and Kit- know that principles and a quest for the common welfare have to be flexible enough to conform to what can actually be achieved – knowing what may or may not be achieved is also important – but if principles are too flexible, there will be no principles left! However they (Kit & Karpal) may not be at exactly the same point where to strike that balance!
Whatever it is, DAP has proven itself to be the one and only political party that is beyond opportunism. Had its principles not been strong, it would have joined Barisan Nasional in 1974, just like Gerakan, and licking UMNO’s arse. As such, it holds the distinction of being the only opposition party with parliamentary seats that did not do so when the opportunity arise, otherwise our Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh would have been a Federal Minister 35 years ago.
Middle Malaysia doesn’t sound good to me. Moderate Malaysia sounds better but still doesn’t cut it.
Whatever it is, DAP has proven itself to be the one and only political party that is beyond opportunism. Had its principles not been strong, it would have joined Barisan Nasional in 1974, just like Gerakan, and licking UMNO’s ass. As such, it holds the distinction of being the only opposition party with parliamentary seats that did not do so when the opportunity arise, otherwise our Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh would have been a Federal Minister 35 years ago.
Middle Malaysia doesn’t sound good to me. Moderate Malaysia sounds better but still doesn’t cut it.
Though we did not have a unanimous agreement, there is progress on the matter, and I think we can come to an agreement before the next general election. But an agreement is one thing. Whether you can lawfully hold local government elections is another. Can we hold it in view of the legislation against it? To overcome this, we must have federal power to make the necessary amendments. – The King
Before March 8 general election, DAP went all over town to convince people to vote for them, and promised the voters local government election if they win, but after they won five states with coalition partners PKR and PAS, only then DAP realized they don’t have the necessary advantages to win the local election, to win local election first they have to win Putrajaya. Maybe LKS can answer, what guarantee Malaysians have on implementation of local government election should PR won the general election? Can I trust DAP later when it went back on its promises now?
Only in Dap,we can find principled politicians like LKS,KS and also many others.Unlike the Zah,Zul and Tan from PKR in PR,they do not yield to wealth,benefit,position,titles and other materialistic attractions.The rakyat are discerning people.They know who are selfish and all out to access personal gain rather than striving for ideals.Use our votes again to cast out such bast…ds like the 3 idiots above in the next GE.
In any event, that is being complemented by Malay [Malaysians] in Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and PAS. It does not matter whether they join us or PKR as long as they are in Pakatan (Rakyat). – The King
We don’t need many Malays in DAP as long as we are in Pakatan, in fact we are no different from MCA or Gerakan in BN.
Actually, umno and its media are doing the alternative government a great great favour. A number of those now serving the alternative government are idiots and no-good people too – not unlike those serving in umno.
In time these people would be rejected by Pakatan and booted out. Then pakatan will be truly a force to be reckoned with. That I am confident would happen.
Umno and umno-controlled media is hastening the cleansing process for pakatan. The process (and of course the scene painted by umno media) appears to be disturbing. Do not despair, fellas, or even feel dissapointed. Wot is important is to remain focus and stay on course.
Remember, the kicks of a dying party is usually strong towards the end. Do not let the energy unleashed by those kicks trouble us.
“We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France,
we shall fight on the seas and oceans,
we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be,
we shall fight on the beaches,
we shall fight on the landing grounds,
we shall fight in the fields and in the streets,
we shall fight in the hills;
we shall never surrender” Winston Churchill, 4th June 1940.
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1958238,00.html
Saiful Bukhari was in the house with Rosmah and met Najib a few days before he lodged the police report
I call you Father of justice, Father of truth, Father of rakyat, Mr Karpal Singh you are the only one in the million.
I think DAP should equip itself pretty well to face the next general election as a truly multi-racial and multi-religious political party to face UMNO/BN. I ‘m pretty confidence there are thousands of rational thinking malays who would like to join DAP to seeing that the corrupted UMNO be removed from power.I think Karpal Singh and Lim Kit Siang must have thought about this with Tunku Ariz.DAP must think realistically what would happen to them in the event Anwar and PKR down fall would affect their chances to forming the federal government with PAS or without PAS.UMNO’s brutal on slaught on PKR and PAS sincerity is always in question should serve as an eye opener for DAP . I think DAP without strong malays leaders within itself, and when without PKR and PAS support would jeopardise its chances to wining and forming state government, let alone could win the general election and form the central govenment.
I trully hope young Malaysians…particularly the Muslims…will join DAP as members…by the thousands…as DAP is not a racist party at all.
DAP fights for justice and freedom…suffered by Malaysian Chinese and Indians…mostly by UMNO’s race and religion dirty politics.
Lim Kit Siang sacrifices himself for Malaysians and country.
And let no young Muslim voters .ever forget..Lim Guan Eng went to jail…defending a young Muslim girl being raped by a Melaka ex CM…..which the girl mother was ever grateful to LGE.
DAP…..means Democratic Action Party.
Where is it pointing only one race can join the party?
Now is are UMNO….MCA and MCA???….all racists parties.