Kata dua reformasi DAP tambah tekanan, gagal beri kelebihan

With DAP setting a deadline for Anwar Ibrahim to fulfill his reform promises, the party has effectively used its last-minute leverage, according to analysts. Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) academic Syaza Shukri stated that the party now needs to ensure the government implements the agreement, while veteran party Charles Santiago believes only swift executive action can give DAP time.

However, political science researcher Wong Chin Huat emphasized that DAP still possesses an advantage in the form of its large number of seats in the Dewan Rakyat, allowing it to potentially trigger surprising elections. Syaza noted that two DAP moves do not give the party any advantage over Anwar. After voting to remain in the government, the party now risks revealing its own limitations while providing Anwar with breathing space.

"This directly eliminates DAP's main bargaining chip," she told FMT. "At this stage, it appears more like a mere performance. What will make us believe change will occur once Anwar's deadline arrives and passes? Furthermore, representatives have voted to continue (in the government) to give Anwar breathing room. Pressure on him is now less intense."

With 40 out of 150 seats in Parliament, DAP controls the government's majority and holds five ministerial positions. The party also leads among Pakatan Harapan (PH) components. During its special congress on August 16, the majority of representatives voted to keep the party in the government and urged its leadership to push faster for major reform, including separating the roles of the Attorney General and public prosecutor, limiting the prime minister's term to two terms, and allocating funding for regional development in a targeted manner.

According to Syaza, after closing the door to pulling back support, DAP now finds itself in a position that it must either meet these demands or face the risk of being isolated by the party's base. "DAP has missed the opportunity to 'punish' or signal to the government following the general election weekend last week," she added.

Meanwhile, Santiago, a former Klang MP, characterized the four-month timeframe as self-imposed pressure and warned it could eat away at DAP. "The four reforms proposed by DAP are not new; they have been on the table for nearly four years," he said, adding that setting such a rigid timeline without a clear plan only reflects defeatism rather than confidence.

Unlike waiting for a complex law to be approved by Parliament, Santiago stressed that the government should focus on immediate and concrete executive action to curb public discontent. However, DAP Executive Committee member Kasthuri Patto maintained the deadline, describing it as a procedural work process needed to resolve the pending parliamentary vote and create a permanent democratic check and balance mechanism.

DAP's shared responsibility viewpoint also rejects the narrative that the reform burden falls solely on DAP, urging coalition partners like Barisan Nasional (BN), Sarawak People's Party (GPS), and Sabah People's Party (GRS) to fulfill their campaign promises as well. While BN, GRS, and GRS also made similar pledges as PH, DAP cannot be the only party blamed if the reform promise is not fulfilled.

DAP's advantage lies in its seats, as Wong noted that 40 DAP seats in Parliament remain crucial for ensuring the government's majority. "Without DAP seats, the government would lose its majority. If DAP feels its presence in the government is no longer worthwhile, it doesn't need to take a seat from the Cabinet. It's enough to simply inform Anwar of a surprising by-election," Wong said.

Lastly, if coalition partners obstruct progressive legislation, pro-reform voters will ultimately punish them at the ballot box.