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| DAP - Democratic Action Party |
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| Written by zen |
| Thursday, 05 June 2008 01:37 |
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Founded in 1965, the Democratic Action Party is led by Karpal Singh who holds the National Chairperson post while Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng holds the Secretary-General post. The DAP, although was pretty much independent by itself in the past, recently joined the Pakatan Rakyat alliance which is made up of various opposition parties. It is a multi-racial, secular and social democratic political party. The DAP has been traditionally been strong in around the Federal territory, Penang and Perak and rose to stardom through the “Malaysian Malaysia†ideology. Its history is traced back to the former Singapore People's Action Party(PAP). DAP was formerly the Malaysian branch of the PAP. After the de-merger of Singapore, the Malaysian branch members stayed behind, including Devan Nair, the future Singapore President. There they continue to work on the party which then they declared "irrevocably committed to the ideal of a free, democratic and socialist Malaysia, based on the principles of racial and religious equality, social and economic justice, and founded on the institution of parliamentary democracy". The Singapore Prime Minister then persuaded DAP's founder Devan Nair to return to Singapore, claiming that "the Cabinet decided that Singapore-Malaysia relations would always be bedevilled if Devan Nair remained a DAP leader. I persuaded him to come back." The first time that DAP contested in the elections, in 1969, their manifesto included one that went against the Article 153, which gave the Bumiputras privileges not enjoyed by other races. This was first campaigned by Lee Kuan Yew when he spoke in Parliament that "Malaysia  to whom does it belong? To Malaysians. But who are Malaysians? I hope I am, Mr Speaker, Sir. But sometimes, sitting in this chamber, I doubt whether I am allowed to be a Malaysian." In the 1969 elections, the DAP won 13 Parliamentary seats and 31 state assembly seats while Gerakan, another opposition party then (Gerakan is now a component party with the BN) also won by huge majority. This would then make the 1969 elections as one where the opposition gained the most votes in any elections apart from the most recent 2008. The opposition however, held a march by DAP and Gerakan which eventually led to street violence and was black marked as the May 13 incident. Subsequently after that, Parliament was suspended for 2 years. The DAP continued to remain as the dominant opposition party but would never be able to repeat their success for the next 38 years. Its manifesto has not changed where they are still actively seeking to abolish any racial inequality in the country. One of the major events which was significant under the DAP umbrella was the Operasi Lalang where various DAP leaders were accused of being a threat to national security. They were believed to be protesting against the expansion of the New Economic Policy. In recent times, DAP performed poorly in the 1999 elections, where Lim Kit Siang, its leader and Karpal Singh both losing their Parliamentary seats and in all the 193 seats contested, they could only win 10. In the next election in 2004, DAP captured 12 seats while the other opposition parties lost terribly and in 2008 was where DAP had the best results, winning 28 seats in parliament while capturing the Penang state. This would eventually see Lim Guan Eng chosen as the Chief Minister of the state. There are various leaders in DAP who are popular and renowned among most if not all Malaysians. Lim Kit Siang, who was the parliamentary opposition leader in the 11 th Malaysian Parliament. Kit Siang who was the former secretary-general of the party remains as the chairman of the DAP Policy and Strategic Planning Commission as well as an advisory role to the party. Karpal Singh Took over the chairmanship in 2004, he is a well established lawyer as well as a strong spokesperson in parliament. Lim Guan Eng, due to some mismanagement could not contest in the 2004 elections but came back strongly which saw him and his team sweep the Penang votes to their favour, therby forming the state government. Zenith - MalaysiaToday.com.my
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Hits: 9850 Comments (22)
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Malaysia needs more leaders like Karpal Singh, Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, Fong Poh Kuan, Teresa Kok, Chow Kon Yeow and many more....
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We have been a loyal DAP supporter family since my dad in younger years till he pass away. It never felt so good until DAP with pakatan alliance to capture those states. If my dad is still around to see this, he would be very much happy.
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As a Penangnite, I see our CM Lim Guan Eng has done a good job so far but I guess he is not doing enough for the small businesses esp the small pubs.
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I must congratulate all the Pakatan held states. They have crossed the first 150days not without challenges, espcially in Perak and Selangor. I sincerly hope these governments will pass the acid tests, especially when BN are so obviously trying their best destabilize the PK. I have no doubt with the recent victory by Sdr Anwar Ibrahim we are in for a change in the Fedral Government. Of couse the BN will use all it's resources to destabilise the country. I pray that the rakyat will not be coerced into falling for the racial trap which may see yet another May 13.
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I knew all DAP leaders are good debate person, nice to hear what they spoke in rally, good point; reasonable; nerved and funny. Now DAP first time establish a few state government, as my survey also done the not bad job.
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ada dua jenis Melayu,satu is Umno Melayu(Melayu one) and other one is (Melayu two)hard working......ididts. So now you know Melayu one is rich and so call...pandai.They set policies for Melayu two ,I'm Tuan saya cakap you follow,so I give everything percuma to Melayu two..thank you !All Melayu one want is Melayu two vote...hidup ditentukan.One day all the Melayu two will go backward?! All kampong have UiTM but have no kebolehan in many bidang....think!Melayu two only serves a government post...Thank you.But Melayu one with phD holder will become mininster portfolio or...PM .Hmm...Bapa Pm anak pun nak jadi PM.....why??so think ?...who is TUAN here......!
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Eksklusif: Bongkar, Dosa Najib Razak Semasa Menjawat Jawatan Menteri Besar Pahang !!
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untuk pengetahuan semua rakyat, presiden reformasi ramlan abu bakar telah dibayar oleh peminpin BN dengan bayaran 2.5juta itu adalah wang rakyat, untuk membuat kacau terhadap pakatan rakyat yang memerintah di 5 negeri dan tetapi dia tidak nampak BN yg buat tak betul bodoh presiden reformasi. tak lama lagi ramlan abu bakar akan dapat gelaran 'datuk' tunggu dan lihat. w'salam
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Saya rasa orang melayu takut nak sokong DAP oleh kerana kebanyakkan pemimpinnya terlalu ekstrim dan tidak menghormati kebudayyan dan hak orang melayu. Saya yakin Karpal Singh tidak oleh menjadi pemimpin yang adil kepada bangsa melayu kerana neliau tidak faham kehendak orang melayu.
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Why not BN? Any reason or improvement needed. We would like to hear from your opinion. Lets help our gov to win the next election. Attach your nick/real name together with your place of voting/ the place you stay. Thanks for your time. |
| Last Updated on Thursday, 05 June 2008 17:20 |
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