It really does not matter whether this is verified or not. According to sources, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke met party chairman Lim Guan Eng last week in an attempt to persuade the latter not to contest the party chairmanship while still retaining his position as a CEC member.

If this is true and whatever Loke’s intention might be, I think he is just wasting his time. I doubt Guan Eng will take Loke’s overtures kindly.

It is also my belief that it is inappropriate for the mentee to tell the mentor to voluntarily step down as the chairman.

Seriously, if I were Guan Eng, I would tell Loke “to go fly a kite” and “mind your own business”.

A seasoned politician and party veteran like Guan Eng should know when his time is up. If he decides to defend his post, then everyone must respect his right to go down fighting, if he has to.

Let me also make it clear that I’m no fan of Guan Eng or Loke. My expectations of DAP leaders are high, perhaps too high for any of the current crop of party leaders to live up to.

Let me deal with this matter later.

Meantime, what I wish to stress is that while Guan Eng has the right to defend his chairman’s post, I also think it is a bit awkward for him to do so, especially if there is a revolt from within.

If there is indeed a challenge for the chairman’s position, or if there is a plot within the party to oust Guan Eng, it is a sign that that his once iron grip on the party is slipping away and that he should seriously reconsider his decision to stay on.

If he decides to defend his post, then everyone must respect his right to go down fighting, if he has to.

I commented on Guan Eng’s posturing in a chat group on Feb 19, under the heading, “Guan Eng, why fight your own party comrades now?”

“Lim Guan Eng now wants to fight his own party comrades in order to stay on as the DAP chairman. Seriously, whatever for?

“When there are no more opponents outside to take on, you cross swords within the family. That’s a most silly route to take.

“A leader’s greatest folly is to overstay his welcome in politics. Don’t ever think that you are indispensable; a politician can easily be replaced.

“Lim can give every reason why he must stay on as one of the key leaders of the DAP. To me, it’s the same excuse of all politicians for refusing to let go when your time is up.

“Guan Eng must be reminded that while political power can be intoxicating, the pursuit of it at the expense of party harmony can lead to significant pitfalls.

“Successful political leaders recognise the importance of fostering unity, collaboration and mutual respect within their parties to ensure their longevity and effectiveness in office.

“Ultimately, the ability to work alongside comrades, even in challenging times, is often what defines true political acumen.

“Sadly, despite his decades as a top political leader, Guan Eng lacks the ability to make sound judgements at crucial periods of his career.”

I have not changed my stand since February 19. I still think that Guan Eng should retire and let go today.

What I wish to stress is, after the overtures by Loke, all DAP delegates and members must respect Guan Eng’s decision and right to defend his chairmanship.

I recall a similar event in the MCA.

During the party’s elections in 2010, then MCA president Ong Tee Keat decided to defend his post despite being offered a deal by challenger Dr Chua Soi Lek to remain in the cabinet in exchange for not seeking re-election.

In the end, Ong lost the presidency to Chua, and was eventually dropped from the cabinet. It marked the end of Ong’s political career.

Whether Lim will have to go in such an ignominious fashion like Ong will be known in the DAP elections slated for March 16.

Now, it’s true that I have been grappling with a sense of disillusionment with the current DAP leadership, especially when compared to its past veterans who were known for their selflessness and sacrifices.

Why are my expectations of DAP leaders so high? Honestly, I see very little semblance of the legacy of sacrifice of the early DAP leaders who struggled financially because they prioritised ideals over personal gain in the party leadership today.

DAP has grown into a mainstream party and with this institutional change, comes a different kind of politician – one who sees politics as a career rather than just a cause.

One would have easily noticed by now that with ministerial positions and control in certain states, some DAP politicians now enjoy the trappings of power and this has eroded the sense of sacrifice that once defined the party.

We are also aware that many DAP politicians today often treat politics like a career rather than a lifelong mission.

While this is not inherently bad, it does mean fewer figures with the kind of personal sacrifices seen in earlier generations.

I believe the key challenge today is whether DAP can maintain its ideological purity and commitment to the people while adapting to a new political landscape.

Can the party still uphold its core values? That is the most important poser for the DAP leadership today, never mind whether Lim Guan Eng is still the party chairman or not after March 16.

(Francis Paul Siah is a veteran Sarawak editor and currently heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak, MoCS. He can be reached at [email protected].)