DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke told his partymen they should shift their mindsets from that of an opposition to one of the ruling government.

The transport minister said the party can no longer act like an opposition party as it is now a government party.

“We are the ruling party not only at the federal level but also in many states, so we must have a paradigm shift as a ruling party.

“As the government, our role is to manage the country and solve problems, not only to raise issues,” he said in his speech.

His speech came after the party drew flak even from Pakatan Harapan (PH) component parties over remarks by Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy.

In a Facebook post, Ramasamy urged the government to implement reforms in the public service sector as he claimed it is being dominated by Malays.

Ramasamy said Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s argument that the over-participation of Malays in the public sector is to balance Chinese dominance in the economic sector no longer applies.

He said such racist policies can no longer be defended, especially with the unity government now in power.

Ramasamy urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to address the issue and ensure the public service reflects the ethnic makeup of the country.

Anwar responded by saying the government will not consider the call for reforms to break Malay domination in the civil service as Putrajaya does not think it a problem.

Loke thanked PH’s component leaders for their views and said DAP has its own ways to deal with the issue.

“Whatever views are made by our friends (allies), I thank them. But DAP has our own ways of dealing with our internal issues.” 

“We will deal with issues using DAP’s own channels and approaches,” Loke told a press conference.

Amanah Youth chief and Hulu Langat MP Mohd Sany Hamzan yesterday called on DAP to sack Ramasamy for making such comments.

“I believe DAP needs to do something because this is not the first (such) statement from him that has troubled DAP.

“The most appropriate action for me is to fire him as the deputy chief minister of Penang because I believe there are many other leaders who are more competent to be appointed to the post,” he said in a statement today.

He said Ramasamy’s statements caused problems for PH.

Sany said Ramasamy is trying to become a “hero” using cheap publicity. 

Penang PKR Youth chief Abshar Nurasyra also demanded Ramasamy be given the boot.

He said Ramasamy is a liability to PH as the latter issues controversial statements that do not benefit the government, the people, or the country. – February 12, 2023.