A "sacked" DAP branch leader yesterday alleged
that the party's national leaders were willing to allow it to be
de-registered to erase the fact that the
party was founded by an Indian. Ladang Paroi branch vice-chairman A. David
Dass, whose membership was terminated by the party but has yet to receive a
formal letter on the matter, claimed the leaders wanted to turn the party into
a Chinese-dominated one. This, he said, was the reason why they had refused to
heed the Registrar of Societies' instructions to hold fresh elections for the
party's central executive committee (CEC).He claimed the leaders wanted to
"rewrite history" as the party was founded by former Singapore
president Devan Nair.
"This is another attempt by DAP leaders to erase the
fact that the party was founded by an Indian and further marginalise Indians in
the party. While many have forgotten the party's history, the party leaders are
taking the opportunity to convince members and the people that DAP was founded
by Dr Chen Man Hin, turning it into a party that belongs to the Chinese." Dass
said Dr Chen was qualified only to be referred to as a lifetime DAP adviser and
not a founding member.
"Dr Chen's involvement in the formation of DAP started
in a by-election on Dec 9, 1965, when he won the Rahang state seat in Negri
Sembilan as an independent. "Nair at that time decided to (start up a
party), and the party was registered formally as the Democratic Socialist Party
on March 18, 1966. "To establish the party, they needed at least seven
people as sponsors and Dr Chen was one." Dass said by de-registering the
party, the leaders could also sustain their power by covering up their flaws in
the CEC polls held in December.
"What they have
engaged themselves in now adds only to the people's uncertainty over whether
there really was fraud in the CEC election. They overlooked the rights of party
members to vocalise their dissatisfaction with the CEC results and terminated
the membership of those who have been vocal in the matter."Dass commented
on the double standards practised by party leaders, citing his membership
termination.
"Terminating my membership without talking to me is a
sterling example of the double standards in the party. Ironically, when it
comes to the RoS, they (DAP leaders) insist RoS gave concrete reasons on why
the party's CEC is not recognised." Nilai Perdana DAP deputy chairman S.
Rajashegher, whose membership was also terminated on June 28 without any
issuance of official letters, said it was unbecoming to terminate anyone's
membership without notice. "The
obvious thing is DAP only 'sacked' Indian members without any valid reasons.
This is clear evidence of marginalisation of Indians in the party."
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