PUTRAJAYA: The resignation of four DAP Malacca state leaders has raised questions among political analysts over whether the move is genuine, or just a tactical ploy being used by the DAP to strengthen the party.

National Professors Council secretary (Politics, Security and International Affairs Cluster) Prof Datuk Dr Abdul Halim Sidek said the resignations could be a tactic by the DAP to allow BN to win Kota Melaka in the 14th general election (GE14) so that the area can be further developed.

“Kota Melaka is a DAP stronghold. In Malaysia’s general election history, BN has only won the Parliamentary seat in Kota Melaka once, in 2004, with a slim majority against DAP.

“During BN’s administration, there were a lot of developments in Kota Melaka, such as the establishment of the Malacca River Cruise and Jonker Walk Melaka. But then the area fell to DAP again when the party won big in the 2008 general election.

“Is this a strategy by DAP to allow BN to rule Kota Melaka so that the area can be developed again, and then later be taken over by DAP?” Dr Abdul Halim said to the New Straits Times.

Kota Melaka member of Parliament Sim Tong Him, Bachang assemblyman Lim Jak Wong, Kesidang assemblyman Chin Choon Seong and Duyong assemblyman Goh Leong San jointly announced yesterday that they had quit as DAP members.

The four said that they had lost confidence in the party and were disappointed with DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng over the party’s close ties with its former sworn enemy, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Dr Abdul Halim said it is unclear if the decision was authentic, or merely a trick.

“Is it true that they are really not satisfied with the party because of their relationship with Parti Pribumi Bersatu, or is it just another drama?” he said.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin said the resignations of staunch DAP members from Malacca prove that the party won’t get full Chinese voter support in the GE14.

He added that the main issue in the DAP now is why Tun Mahathir, once the archrival, has been warmly welcomed. “Soon, the Bank Negara Forex scandals that involved losses of billions of ringgit will be revealed, if a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) is convened.

“DAP had also agreed that the RCI should be formed to investigate the Forex scandal. (So) why are these DAP leaders quitting now?

“If the RCI becomes a reality, DAP will look stupid, hoodwinked by its own enemy,” said Dr Shamsul Amri.-nst