DAP should stay in cabinet but use congress as leverage, says Ong

Former DAP MP Dr Ong Kian Ming has advised DAP delegates to vote for the party's continued presence in the cabinet during the upcoming congress, as reported by the New Straits Times. Ong outlined three key reasons for this recommendation: the urgent need to pass the 2027 Budget, maintaining political stability in a period of economic uncertainty, and preventing Barisan Nasional from supporting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, which could precipitate an early general election.

However, the former Bangi MP stipulated that there is a single compelling reason for DAP to withdraw from the cabinet: exerting pressure on Anwar to enact political reforms before the next general election. Ong emphasized that the Prime Minister responds to pressure when faced with strong opposition from individuals, groups, organizations, or specific political circumstances.

At the special congress, DAP delegates and supporters of PH and DAP must understand that the Prime Minister will only react when confronted with significant pressure. This congress can serve as a platform to remind Anwar of the DAP delegates' ability to compel them to resign from the cabinet and to leverage this pressure to compel him to fulfill some of Pakatan Harapan's manifesto promises before the end of the parliamentary session, according to Ong.

If delegates vote to retain DAP leaders in the cabinet, Anwar could interpret this as a commitment to continue supporting the government until the end of the parliamentary term, regardless of whether substantive reforms are introduced. Ong clarified that any leverage DAP may have on Anwar would dissipate as soon as most delegates vote to remain in the cabinet.

Ong suggested that a vote to exit the cabinet would not necessarily compel DAP ministers to resign immediately; the party could negotiate with Anwar to remain until the passage of the 2027 Budget in December. They could also seek commitments on key reforms, such as a ten-year term limit for the Prime Minister and an equal parliamentary allocation law.

While leaving the government might not guarantee PH and DAP's return to power after the 2016 general election, Ong argued that it would demonstrate the party's willingness to relinquish government positions on principle rather than for self-interest.