What Does DAP’s Low Congress Turnout Really Mean? Ramasamy Questions ‘Pyrrhic Victory’

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 — Urimai Chairman P. Ramasamy has questioned the true meaning behind the low delegate turnout at DAP’s National Congress yesterday, labeling the party’s decision to remain in the Pakatan Harapan-led Unity Government a “pyrrhic victory.”

Reflecting on the outcome of the August 16 conference at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), Ramasamy noted that while 1,857 delegates (88.2 percent) voted in favor of continuing in government, overall participation was surprisingly low for a gathering meant to chart the party’s future direction following poor electoral performances in Sabah, Johor, and Negeri Sembilan.

Ramasamy highlighted that out of 4,620 total eligible delegates, only 2,221 attended the congress, resulting in an attendance rate of under 50 percent.

“The DAP, rather than looking at the number of those who attended and those who supported the motion, should re-examine why more than 50 percent of the delegates did not attend,” Ramasamy said.

The former Penang Deputy Chief Minister rejected DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke’s explanation that an attendance rate of around 70 percent is typical for national conferences, asserting that the August 16 gathering was a critical political juncture rather than a routine meeting.

“Hello, the August 16 congress was not just an ordinary national conference but a conference that was supposed to determine the political direction of the party,” Ramasamy stated, emphasizing that the actual turnout fell significantly below historical averages.

Ramasamy argued that the absence of more than half the delegates points to deep-seated internal unease and signals potential opposition to remaining in government.

“The non-attendance of more than 50 percent of delegates is an indication that all is not well with the DAP. It could also be an indication of non-support for the motion to remain in the government,” Ramasamy declared, suggesting that the motion to stay in government could have been defeated had delegate turnout reached 80 to 90 percent.

He further criticized party leadership under Loke, accusing DAP of compromising its core principles and demonstrating subservience to Malay hegemony at the expense of non-Malay rights. He noted that while delegates raised concerns during the congress about Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s approach toward DAP, the leadership was not held to account for weakening the party’s traditional platform.

Ramasamy concluded by advocating for radical action, suggesting that resigning en masse and extricating itself structurally and ideologically from mainstream coalition politics may be necessary for DAP to rebuild political credibility and seek an alternative political formula.

–NMT