YOURSAY | DAP unable to distinguish chaff from grain

YOURSAY | Perhaps Ramasamy’s crime was just being too outspoken.

Is this the same DAP I joined in 2005, wonders Ramasamy

Vijay47: In the earlier Satees Muniandy article, many, if not most of the comments were along the lines “You have already served. That is more than enough. Now be grateful and move along”.

While those dropped were expected to assume saintly attributes, these opinions were then supported by the revelation to us mere mortals that the DAP National Committee was guided by heavenly altruistic virtues to steer the party along its path of fairness, consistency, and “Best for the Nation” concerns.

I can go along with that, except that the official reasons of age and terms in office for excluding certain members from the candidature list were a total cop-out, a string of grasped-straw excuses to defend a fait accompli.

One is reminded of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his outrage over the previous federal government awarding government-linked company chairpersonship to party office-bearers.

Perhaps former Penang deputy chief minister II P Ramasamy’s greatest crime was that he was outspoken, he did not mince his words and spoke his mind. Yes, he did raise issues mainly in respect of the most forgotten community, the Indians.

Was he expected to heed the welfare of only Chinese millionaires residing along the Northam and Western Roads and Malay political warlords?

Whatever fresh direction he embarks on, let me wish him every success. I know that his commitment will always be “Best for the Nation”.

FellowMalaysian: Ramasamy, the former Perai assemblyperson, is the most out-spoken leader party DAP has had in the past two decades. He is also the most erudite and academically qualified person in DAP.

The Penang chapter has done incredibly well since 2008 and in a major way, contributed by the hard work of this man.

But quite often, he has been admonished by the top party boss to toe the line when speaking out in public. The most recent time this happened was when Ramasamy openly expressed his displeasure in working with Umno in the first few months of the unity government.

Party secretary-general Anthony Loke had to sort things out by saying: “We will settle this matter, the DAP way.”

I won't be surprised if Ramasamy was left out of the candidates' list chiefly because of this single incident. If so, then DAP is rather short-sighted and unable to distinguish the chaff from the grain.

Ramasamy has just pointed out that he was not called in by the committee to explain their decision not to appoint him as their Perai candidate.

It is unbecomingly feckless and rather disingenuous for the party leaders to give a senior leader who has contributed to the party unreservedly over the past 18 years the cold-shoulder treatment.

World Citizen: I don't really understand how Loke or, for that matter, any party leader chooses the candidates. I would think it is common sense that Loke would call the incumbents, especially the senior ones like Ramasamy and former Padang Lalang assemblyperson Chong Eng to discuss with them first on his plans and why they are not being selected.

Looks like these incumbents only came to know they are not being selected after the announcement of the candidates and worst still through news reports.

As party leader, Loke may have the discretion to choose the candidates, but he should not behave like a dictator and with no transparency. This is not healthy and may lead to the party's destruction. He should treat the party leaders with some respect.

Cowboy: Now is the perfect time for Ramasamy to do more work for the Indian community especially in Penang and Malaysia in general. His contribution can be more valuable when outside the government like leading the young and training them in politics.

If he feels he is still good enough then he should also be accepted in whatever you do when outside the government. He can tackle the 3R (race, religion, royalty) narratives and counter them using his profound knowledge and experience.

He can be DAP strategic planner to counter them. If he is serious about countering them, it will consume all his time and produce wishful results.

Beman: I did not agree mostly with what Ramasamy wrote in most of his opinion pieces in Malaysiakini. But I have to say that I agree with him this time when he asked, “Why this discrepancy and inconsistency?"

Politicians are rarely forthcoming in what they do and speak. If they want DAP national chairperson Lim Guan Eng in, they say he must be in for the sake of continuity.

If they don't want Ramasamy in, they say he must be out to make way for new faces after serving three terms.

The same reason they use for keeping Lim in can also be used for keeping Ramasamy in if they want him in, and the same reason they use for ousting Ramasamy can also be used to drop Lim.

Clever voter: Ramasamy should realise nothing last forever. We all must retire at some point, yet repeatedly we see politicians from all sides hanging on to their comfort zone when it is time to let go.

While the selection process may not be perfect, it must be respected, this would be made known to him having served the party for years.

It is not dignified to make his grievances public. That’s a shame, showing his power motivation is not what society needs, but delivering and performing, yes.

Leaders are inspiring, yet they have traits that are admired. Above all the ability to serve, demonstrate loyalty, and be grateful. Ramasamy sadly must spoil what others have thought good of him.

Caught and Bowled: I take my hat off to Ramasamy for what he has done in Penang over the past 15 years. I do agree with him that the DAP leadership should have been more forthcoming with the incumbents prior to the announcement of the candidate list.

Nevertheless, it's time for all to close rank and take on the anticipated onslaught by the "Green Wave".

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