LONG known as a party rebel, Teng Chang Khim’s recent announcement of bowing out from politics will see a more united DAP, said analysts.

Teng’s announcement is timely as he has reached the peak of what he can achieve in the party, they said.

His retirement will now allow the party to pick a team with the same mindset to lead it into the next general election and beyond.

Earlier this week, Teng said he won’t contest in the coming party elections and the next general election. He has been an assemblyman for 25 years.

He is presently the Bandar Baru Klang assemblyman and a Selangor exco. He is also member of the DAP central executive committee and state committee member.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s political scientist Dr Mazlan Ali told The Malaysian Insight that Teng has contributed immensely to DAP in his 25 years of political service.

With Teng’s departure, the party can now concentrate on its work of regaining public support without facing internal fights as well, said Mazlan.

“We have seen that after the DAP came to power with Pakatan Harapan in 2018, it lost some Chinese support due to some government policies, especially the introduction of textbooks in Jawi.

“The current important goal for DAP is to regain the support of the Chinese community,” Mazlan said.

No major outcry

Current affairs commentator Tang Ah Chai said Teng has never had the opportunity to grab hold of CEC’s important positions in his 25 years of politics.

Teng reached the “ceiling” by being a Selangor assemblyman, state executive member and Selangor speaker but never made it as a top DAP leader nationally, said Tang.

“Based on the current relationship between Teng and the central leadership, everyone knows well. Instead of changing state seats or continuing to serve as exco member in Selangor, there is no opportunity for promotion in the party.

“This is a reflection that Teng has reached his peak at the party. After his self-assessment, he chooses to retire at this time, which is the best choice for him.”

Since Teng’s announcement, no central leader has urged him to stay, said Tang.

This proves the fierce competition and lack of closeness in DAP, he added.

On the other hand, the leaders could have better chances with one fewer competitor.

As for whether other senior leaders in the party will follow Teng’s approach, Tang said it will indeed be a reminder, adding that every leader feels he still has a role to play.

“Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad felt that he had a responsibility not to step down when he was 90 years old. Senior DAP leaders, such as Lim Kit Siang, can play an advisory role with the party led by the younger generation.”

Dissident ‘rebels’

Veteran columnist and political analyst Dr Cheah See Kian said Teng’s struggles in the party followed a pattern set by previous dissidents, such as Lee Lam Thye and Dr Kua Kia Soon.

“Teng is, however, lucky. He was elected in every party election since joining politics. He has a good reputation outside the party, too, only that he has no actual power.”

Cheah said Teng was not in the party’s list as part of the Selangor government after the general election in 2018.

However, he was added following the sultan of Selangor’s insistence.

“Of course, it is inconvenient for DAP to disclose the reasons for this,” said Cheah.

Teng’s ambition to become a national level party leader always encountered resistance because of power struggles in the party.

“Even when he has no support from his party, he has sufficient support from outside. The party does not want to place him in important positions but has been forced to place him in a position. Only that he is stubborn and unwilling to yield.

“Judging from Teng’s situation, DAP’s culture becomes obvious, those who attack the leaders and have dissenting opinions are regarded as rebellious. There were many such occurrences during the period led by Lim Kit Siang.”

Dr Lau Zhe Wei, an assistant professor in the political science department of the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM), said Teng’s move to retire is unnecessary.

“The party led by the Lim father and son team has quelled many ambitious politicians in many states for many years.

“Those leaders are no longer in the party. As for Teng, he is lucky to still hold official positions.” – December 6, 2020.