Resentment cause of poor attendance at DAP congress

The recent DAP special congress held in George Town aimed to decide whether the party should remain in government or leave. Out of 4,264 delegates eligible to attend, only 52.1% showed up, with the remaining 47.9% choosing not to participate. A Perak delegate expressed his disappointment with the party leadership, stating that he felt disillusioned since the party became part of the unity government.

He had chosen not to travel to Putrajaya for the vote because he didn't want to take the time to vote and come back. Of those who attended, 88.2% voted to stay in government, while 11.8% voted to leave. The Perak delegate who voted for the party to leave complained that many of its election promises had not been fulfilled and that grassroots members were struggling with rising costs of living and business challenges.

A 20-year veteran delegate voted for the DAP to stay in government, hoping the party will focus on issues important to its supporters, such as university admission based on performance. However, not everyone who stayed away was unhappy; an 85-year-old DAP veteran from Penang missed the congress due to illness but expressed concerns about the party and its leaders becoming less connected with ordinary members.

DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook dismissed suggestions that the low turnout was a form of protest, attributing it to delegates' inability to take time off from work. The Perak delegate believes it is time for party leaders to convince voters of the DAP's efforts despite current challenges.