DAP voting to remain: Perikatan will triple its efforts to pummel it further to prove Its mettle to BN — Phar Kim Beng

August 17 — The decision by DAP to remain in the Federal Government should not be seen as merely an internal matter. This strategic shift has significant implications for Malaysia's political landscape. At their national congress on August 16, DAP delegates voted overwhelmingly to keep their ministers and deputy ministers in government.

Of the 2,106 ballots cast, 1,857 supported remaining, while only 242 favored withdrawal. While this decision stabilises Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's administration and provides breathing space, it also makes DAP an easier target for Perikatan Nasional, particularly PAS under Hadi.

Remaining in government allows PN to portray every controversial decision of the Federal Government as evidence of DAP's supposed influence. This strategy, known as personalising a complex coalition government around one convenient adversary, draws attention away from the broader issues and focuses it on DAP. PAS can further strengthen this narrative by stating that they have the ideological machinery, grassroots networks, and rhetorical firepower to weaken DAP and PH among Malay voters.

Consequently, BN may be tempted to align with PN to demonstrate their usefulness, potentially damaging BN's own multiracial foundations.

Additionally, the PAS's increasing influence within the PN ecosystem creates a dangerous internal balance of power. PAS's strong performance in Negeri Sembilan, despite Bersatu's failure to secure comparable electoral traction, demonstrates this asymmetry. PAS has incentives to prove its predominance within the opposition space by pummelling DAP, which serves both to reinforce PAS's credentials as the principal ideological adversary of PH and to strengthen its bargaining position against Bersatu and potentially with BN.

DAP must resist the temptation to respond to every provocation from PN. Instead, it should focus on making its continued presence in government visibly useful. Addressing housing, public transportation, wages, investment, education, digitalisation, healthcare, local government efficiency, and cost-of-living pressures should be the priority. DAP must not allow itself to be dragged daily into rhetorical combat with PAS, as defending DAP does not mean defending every statement made by every DAP leader.

Ultimately, DAP's decision to remain in government strengthens the Federal Government in the immediate term, but it also gives PN a greater incentive to attack it. The months ahead could see an intensification of attacks on DAP, particularly as political attention moves towards Melaka, Perlis, and eventually the general election in 2016. DAP must understand that it voted not only to retain its representation in the Federal Government but also to demonstrate its usefulness to BN.