14/08/2026

FRIDAY | AUG 14, 2026

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DAP must remain in the Cabinet S OME 4,000 delegates to the DAP national congress on Sunday will decide on what is arguably the most critical agenda in the DAP has 40 MPs, the largest representation in the august house among all the parties that make up the federal government. Compare this with two other major Pakatan partners – Anwar’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat, with 29 MPs, and Umno, with 26.

party’s 60-year history: whether it will remain in the federal government, or more specifically, in the Cabinet of the Madani administration. Not many political observers, let alone the man-in-the-street, can understand the rationale or even the necessity of the party coming up with such an agenda at a time when political stability is what Malaysia needs most to navigate these challenging times, both domestically and internationally. And this is against the backdrop of Malaysia having had five prime ministers since 2018 – a world record no Malaysian is proud of, even surpassing Japan where frequent changes of PMs is a political culture. Lately, we have seen the same thing happening in Britain. In other words, why does DAP want to rock the boat? Party leaders have not explained why – at this juncture, with the next general election due by the end of next year – they have decided to plunge into such a potentially political quagmire. As fellow veteran columnist Joceline Tan of The Star wrote, there are those who believe that the downward slide of DAP – as shown in the recent state elections in Johor and Negeri Sembilan – will worsen if it sticks by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. “DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has led the party to the pinnacle but is now struggling against the tide of public opinion about DAP and the Pakatan Harapan coalition. “The majority of the DAP base comprises the Chinese-educated group and they will hold sway over the outcome of the weekend congress,” added Joceline. DAP currently holds five ministerial and seven deputy ministerial posts. But as Loke reasons out, regardless of the outcome of the congress, DAP will continue to support Anwar and remain a component of Pakatan Harapan. I am making a strong case here for DAP to remain in the Cabinet – and why not?

DAP made its debut in the Cabinet only after the 2018 general election, following decades as the key Opposition party at the federal level – indeed a landmark in the country’s political history. Among other things, DAP then secretary-general, Lim Guan Eng, was appointed to the key post of finance minister as befitting the 40 parliamentary seats it won that enabled the Parti Bersatu-led coalition to topple the Barisan National, headed by Umno, that had been in power continuously for 61 years. But DAP’s stint in the government then, led by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, was short-lived or lasted 22 months following the so-called Sheraton Move that ended with Mahathir’s resignation in 2020. DAP made a comeback to the Cabinet following the November 2022 general election, again after winning 40 seats. The Anwar Cabinet, like its predecessors, is always described by critics as very bloated and often compared with the United States, a nation many times larger than Malaysia in terms of size, population and, more importantly, economic strength, yet with a Cabinet only about a third the size of ours. But this can be explained by the fact that there are so many parties that make up the current coalition government. Is DAP’s decision to put its position in the government to a vote among its delegates a way of demonstrating that it is neither power-crazy nor obsessed with Cabinet positions and other government appointments? We all know it is not. The party’s gentlemanly manner in accepting whatever positions are assigned to it, without raising a fuss or creating controversy, is well known. Despite having more MPs than other parties in the current federal

“DAP remaining in the Cabinet will provide a clear signal of predictability, which is vital for investor confidence

DAP currently holds five ministerial and seven deputy ministerial posts. But as Loke reasons out, regardless of the outcome of the congress, DAP will continue to support Anwar and remain a component of Pakatan Harapan. – BERNAMAPIC

Sunday will do so with a clear rational conscience and not be swayed by petty sentiment. It is heartening to note that Perak DAP, the party’s key state, has unanimously decided to remain in the unity government and to mobilise its full machinery to fulfil the people’s mandate and continue the country’s reform agenda. It said Anwar’s leadership had proven successful in implementing reforms over the past three years while also enhancing the country’s standing on the world stage. “DAP continues to demonstrate its capabilities through achievements and work performance so as not to disappoint the people’s expectations,” it said in a statement. It wants the party to shoulder the responsibility of remaining in the unity government until the end of the term to maintain political stability, as this is the right and responsible path. Another key role for DAP to remain in the government is to provide a balance and prevent extremist forces from continuing to gain ground. Datuk Seri Azman Ujang was Bernama chairman, general manager and editor-in-chief. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com values” syndrome can extend well beyond the preschool years. It can become even more damaging as a child moves through primary and secondary school. Many parents today push their children to get straight As, excel in competitive sports and master multiple musical instruments, all in the hope of getting them into a top university. None of these pursuits is bad in itself. The problem arises when they become the chief measure of a child’s worth or the ultimate goal of childhood. Far better to help our children develop strong character traits that will serve them well for a lifetime. This article is contributed by Focus on the Family Malaysia, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and strengthening the family unit. It provides a myriad of programmes and resources, including professional counselling services, to the community. For more information, visit family.org.my. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

government, DAP holds less Cabinet posts than its counterparts with fewer Parliamentary seats and comparatively junior positions at that. As the party that truly represents basically the Chinese community, the country’s second largest in terms of population, DAP should be represented in the Cabinet. There’s no two ways about it. Above all else, this is why its MPs are where they are today. Their voters and supporters want them to have a say in the running of the government, not only for the community they basically represent, but for the country as a whole. By and large, their ministers and deputy ministers are performing well above average and they should continue their mandate. In the current political climate, major structural changes like a Cabinet reshuffle or a change in coalition dynamics often lead to market uncertainty and political friction. DAP remaining in the Cabinet will provide a clear signal of predictability, which is vital for investor confidence and the smooth operation of government machinery. It is the hope of all right-thinking Malaysians that the over 4,000 delegates who will cast their secret ballots on

and the smooth

operation of government machinery.

Under One Roof

Resolving issues is tantamount to reconciliation process Q: My husband recently ended an affair and we are now working towards reconciliation. While I believe he is truly sorry, the issue of testing for sexually transmitted infections (STI) has not been raised. Is this something he should consider doing?

if given the opportunity. She is very cute but I am not sure this is entirely healthy. Should I be concerned, and what would you advise? Focus on the Family Malaysia : We are sure she is a delight, but you are wise to take stock of the situation. At this stage, it is fun for everyone, but the danger is that she may grow up believing her value as a person lies in her cuteness and ability to perform, rather than in her character. While she is still young and impressionable, encourage her to develop strong character traits. Make a conscious effort to praise qualities such as kindness, patience, selflessness, humility, gentleness, generosity and self-control. Most importantly, model these qualities yourself and use everyday “teachable moments” to explain why they matter. It would also be good to come alongside her and teach her the value of serving others, whether by helping her friends or donating some of her toys to a local orphanage. It is worth noting that this “misplaced

and accept the consequences of his actions. Those consequences can be physical and medical, as well as emotional and psychological. You cannot expect to fully rebuild your marriage unless your husband is prepared to confront and deal with all of them. That said, the physical and sexual repercussions may ultimately be among the less important aspects of an affair’s aftermath. The emotional and psychological consequences are often far greater and can be much more difficult to resolve. If you have not already done so, we strongly recommend that you and your husband begin a thorough course of counselling. A good counsellor can help uncover unresolved issues in your relationship and guide both of you through the process of reconciliation and healing. Q: Our four-year-old girl has a charming personality, and everyone has doted on her since she was born. She loves being the centre of attention and will “perform” on cue

Focus on the Family Malaysia : Both of you should get tested as soon as possible, and for several important reasons. The most obvious concern is that if your husband has contracted an STI, it could have serious implications for your health, as well as for the sexual dimension of your relationship. This is particularly important for you because some STI can remain dormant without causing noticeable symptoms. It is critical to establish the facts as soon as possible and, if necessary, seek appropriate treatment to prevent further complications. More broadly, when marital unfaithfulness has occurred, one of the most important part of the reconciliation process is the offending spouse’s willingness to take responsibility for