25/05/2026

MONDAY | MAY 25, 2026

3 Internal disputes may hurt Penang DAP

Ű BY T.C KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Factional rivalries, power struggles seen as impacting political stability and could weaken party, say analysts

vulnerability during the Pakatan Harapan (PH) convention on May 17. “People want to see not just slogans but leadership that can bring stability,” he said, warning against complacency despite PH’s long dominance in the state. Associate Professor Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk of Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Centre for Policy Research said tensions within Penang DAP were “difficult to deny entirely”, particularly as disagreements increasingly spill into public view and onto social media. However, he cautioned against reading too much into remarks by Ng, noting that the former state assemblyman “is not a neutral observer”. “His criticisms likely reflect both genuine concerns and personal political disappointment,” Azeem said. Still, he described Loke as one of DAP’s more disciplined and pragmatic leaders, with many within the party viewing him as a stabilising figure amid intensifying factional competition. He said this explained why

speculation surrounding Loke’s possible move to Penang continued to surface amid competing ambitions within the state chapter. However, Azeem warned that bringing a national leader into Penang politics could trigger resistance from local factions instead of calming tensions. “Penang DAP grassroots are politically sophisticated and protective of their own local leadership ecosystem. “There are already ambitious local leaders such as Steven (Sim) and Lim Hui Ying. Importing a national leader from another state could create resentment among local factions and branch networks,” he said. Azeem added that Loke’s political identity remained closely tied to Negeri Sembilan, where he has spent nearly two decades building his political career. “The best bet is for him to stay in Negeri Sembilan. “He also has an important role to play at the national level,” he said, referring to the possibility of Loke retaining a ministerial portfolio should PH return to power.

GEORGE TOWN: Penang DAP risks rupture if factional infighting and succession battles are not contained ahead of the next general election, political analysts observed. “There are at least three camps – those loyal to Lim Guan Eng, Chow Kon Yeow and now Steven Sim,” said principal adviser at the Pacific Research Centre, Oh Ei Sun. “If they cannot get their house in order, they risk repeating Gerakan’s debacle in 2008.” Oh said the current political climate was “not exactly favourable” to DAP, adding that prolonged infighting could damage voter confidence and weaken the party. Gerakan entered the 2008 general election undermined by internal rivalries and competing ambitions for the chief minister’s post before losing Penang in the political tsunami that reshaped the country’s political landscape. Oh also questioned whether party secretary-general Anthony Loke possessed the same broad PKR urges Anwar to defend Tambun seat in GE16 PETALING JAYA: Perak PKR is hoping Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will stand in Tambun again at the 16th general election (GE16), with the state party leadership arguing that his presence on the ground is essential to strengthening Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) electoral performance across the state. State PKR chairman Hairul Amir Sabri said retaining Anwar in the constituency would give PH a better footing to increase its tally of both parliamentary and state seats in Perak. Speaking to reporters after launching the party’s new state headquarters in Meru, Ipoh, he acknowledged that a final decision was unlikely to come soon. “It is still too early for us to know where Anwar will contest. Based on experience, he usually makes his decision two or three months before the election. However, Perak definitely needs Anwar to remain here,” he reportedly said. Hairul was responding to growing speculation that Anwar may shift his constituency to Penang or Putrajaya ahead of GE16. At GE15, Anwar secured the Tambun seat with a majority of 3,736 votes in a four-way contest against Perikatan Nasional’s Ahmad Faizal Azumu, Barisan Nasional’s Aminuddin Hanafiah and GTA’s Abdul Rahim Tahir. Meanwhile, Hairul downplayed the significance of Tanjung Malim PKR Youth chief Haziq Azfar Ishak’s resignation, saying it affected only a small portion of the division’s committee and said operations there were continuing normally. He also dismissed talk of a membership drain in Perak, adding that with over 100,000 registered members in the state, the departures were negligible by comparison. Ű BY THESUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

electoral appeal with figures such as Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng. “Guan Eng spent a long time in Malacca, just like Loke in Negeri Sembilan. But the senior and junior Lim can win anywhere. Can Loke?” He added that a move by Loke into Penang politics could expose him to criticism that he was abandoning Negeri Sembilan, while also risking “not reaching the shores on either side” – a Chinese idiom referring to failure on both fronts. Oh said DAP’s senior leadership should instead move quickly to contain tensions internally before divisions deepen further. “Best if the party senior leadership has a closed-door meeting with the warlords to work things out,” he said. The observation comes amid renewed attention on internal dynamics within Penang DAP

following a resolution by the Kampung Kolam DAP branch calling for Loke to contest in the state. The resolution was passed at the branch’s annual general meeting on May 10, where delegates unanimously agreed to formally support and welcome Loke’s potential candidacy in Penang. The motion was moved by former Komtar assemblyman and Tanjong MP Ng Wei Aik, who was also elected branch chairman at the meeting, and seconded by branch secretary Khoo Yeong Ming. It was passed without dissent. The resolution cited “factional infighting”,“money-driven campaigns” and succession struggles within the state chapter. Just six days after the resolution, Chow, who is chief minister, acknowledged Penang’s political

Samsuri engaging with athletes during the Sukma 2026 appreciation ceremony for the Terengganu contingent at Wisma Darul Iman, Terengganu yesterday. Mazlan said Samsuri’s appointment is part of a longer-term strategy to position him for a more prominent national role. – BERNAMAPIC

PAS consolidating power within PN

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Samsuri to replace (Datuk Seri) Hamzah Zainudin is a strategic move by PAS to strengthen its dominance in PN. “This strategic move by PAS was completed shortly after PAS successfully took over the position of PN chairman from Muhyiddin. “This means that all important decisions and the direction of PN are now determined by PAS,” he said. Mazlan said the elevation of Samsuri also appeared aimed at projecting a more moderate and professional image of PN, with the Terengganu leader often seen as one of PAS’ more technocratic figures. “In addition, the appointment of Samsuri, a figure with a professional background, is a move to portray a moderate face of PN to attract more support, including non-Muslims.”

However, he said PN’s broader ideological direction remained firmly anchored in PAS’ conservative political framework. “I think that even though Samsuri’s image is quite modest, behind him is a group of conservative political strategists who will ensure PN remains within the Malay-Muslim support base and will not gain support outside that circle.” Mazlan said Samsuri’s elevation was also part of a longer-term strategy to position him for a more prominent national role. “With a corporate-style appearance and professional touch, it aims to open up opportunities to attract support from various segments of voters.” Still, Mazlan said Samsuri’s position as PAS vice-president would

continue to shape perceptions, particularly among non-Malay voters. “Samsuri will still be considered by various racial communities as a figure who is still on the Islamic political line, which is considered by the majority of non-Muslims as intolerant.” Mazlan also dismissed suggestions that PN was evolving into a credible “government-in waiting”, pointing instead to internal strains between PAS and Bersatu. “Now the opposition is weak and there is a serious split between PAS and Bersatu. The Perlis political issue is a turning point in the relationship between the two parties.” He added that internal turbulence within Bersatu, including the removal of former deputy president Hamzah and other party figures, had further destabilised the coalition.

PETALING JAYA: The elevation of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as Opposition Leader ahead of the next general election is not merely a parliamentary reshuffle but a clear sign of PAS consolidating its dominance over Perikatan Nasional (PN) allies, according to a political analyst. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Associate Professor Dr Mazlan Ali said the appointment of the Terengganu menteri besar marks PAS’ growing dominance in PN, particularly after the party secured the coalition chairmanship from Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. “I think the appointment of