Does the Rocket need to right its course?

Sixty years after its launch, the DAP has questioned whether it has strayed from its original path. The party once championed minority rights, cultural assimilation and economic equity, among other issues. However, recent electoral setbacks have prompted the party to consider withdrawing from government posts. At today's special party congress, more than 4,000 delegates will deliberate on whether to quit the government and reduce its ministers and deputy ministers to backbenchers.

The crisis has been exacerbated by the party's defeat in the Sabah elections, where it lost several seats in the state assembly. Analysts argue that staying in the government gives the party influence over policy and helps maintain political stability, while leaving could allow the party to distance itself from unpopular decisions and reclaim a clearer political identity.

However, the party must also grapple with its Chinese identity and the support it seeks to prioritize. Some analysts believe that the party's traditional strength in the Chinese community may no longer be sufficient, and that the party needs to undergo renewal to gain wider appeal. Ultimately, the decision to remain in the government or withdraw will have significant implications for the party's future in the upcoming 16th general election.