DAP sudah pun meneruskan langkah tanpa Ong, kata penganalisis

Analysts say Ong Kian Ming's exit from DAP will not have a significant impact on the party, as he has been less active in recent years. PETALING JAYA: The departure of Ong, a former Bangi MP, from DAP is small, but the party has continued its actions without him, according to political analyst Syaza Shukri from the International Islamic University Malaysia.

Syaza explained that while Ong is well-known, DAP has other young leaders ready to step forward. She believes DAP has already moved on, in response to the controversies involving Ong. James Chin from the University of Tasmania stated that Ong has been less active in DAP since leaving his leadership position and has increasingly criticized the party.

The only effect of his departure is on his public relations, as it may give DAP's opponents ammunition to claim that many talented people are leaving. Syaza added that DAP has a group of young leaders like Steven Sim, Yeo Bee Yin, and Liew Chin Tong who are ready to take on more significant roles. Sim is 44, Yeo is 43, and Liew is 48, making them only a few years younger than Ong, who is 50.

Ong, who served as an MP for two terms, announced his resignation from DAP on Monday after almost 14 years with the party. He stated that he does not plan to join another party or contest the upcoming general election, although he did help former Umno Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin during the 2016 election campaign. Previously seen as an important strategic thinker within DAP, Ong joined the party through Tony Pua, who served as the MP for Damansara from 2018 to 2022.

Ong had been a member of DAP's executive council but failed to retain his position during the 2022 party elections. He also chose not to contest the 2023 DAP elections. He also decided not to retain his position in the DAP Selangor leadership in 2024, citing opposition from leaders in other states. Syaza believes Ong's decision to leave DAP is largely due to his relationship with the party, and he may feel his time with DAP has come to an end.

However, she added that some middle-aged supporters who favor Ong and Pua may be disappointed by his departure and blame DAP. She said that while younger people might not be as affected, DAP should listen to the views of members who disagree with the party. Chin stated that DAP still has many capable individuals, even if they are not as prominent as Ong.

He emphasized that the bigger problem is that DAP has become less ready to vote together since 2018, due to concerns about how Malay voters would respond. Azmi Hassan from the Nusantara Academy stated that Ong's resignation will not have an immediate impact on DAP, but other young professionals will also leave the party. If Ong is the only political figure leaving DAP, there will be no significant impact on the party, he added.