DAP kekal kerajaan demi pengaruh, ‘kos keluar’ lebih tinggi

DAP recently voted to remain in the unity government until the end of its term, quelling speculation about the party's political direction. Analyst Sivamurugan Pandian from Universiti Sains Malaysia said the decision was a strategic move to maintain the party's influence in Putrajaya ahead of the 2016 general election. While being in the government grants DAP access to power and influence, it also forces the party to share the burden if the government struggles or fails.

Leaving the government might enable DAP to return with a stronger image as a more independent and principled party, but the risk is higher as the 2016 election approaches. If DAP stays in the government, each issue could become a "glue that sticks to the shoe" of DAP heading into the election. DAP's decision to remain in the unity government was not a rejection of its principles, but rather an attempt to adapt principles to the realities of politics.

Maintaining principles without power is difficult to translate into fundamentals, but power without principles can erode the party's identity. The question is how far DAP can convince its grassroots that participation in the government aligns with their mandate and expectations. The success of this decision will not only be judged by the DAP congress itself but also by the general voters, especially as some non-Malay voters grow increasingly critical of DAP.

The real test of DAP's unity government will depend on its ability to manage political competition, particularly at the state level. The upcoming Melaka election and preparations for PRU16 will be crucial challenges for the unity government's cooperation until the end of the parliamentary term.