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The Democratic Action Party ('''DAP''', ''Parti Tindakan Demokratik'' in Malay ) is Malaysia 's largest Secular and Socialist opposition Party . Its core constituency is Urban non- Muslim voters, with strongholds in areas such as Penang , Perak , and Sarawak . It has gained prominence through its strong opposition of Bumiputra privileges guaranteed by Article 153 of the Constitution . As of 2006, it is the largest opposition party in the '' Dewan Rakyat '', the lower house of Parliament . HISTORY The DAP was originally the Malaysian branch of the 1967 , the DAP declared itself to be "irrevocably committed to the ideal of a free, democratic and socialist Malaysia, based on the principles of racial and religious equality, social and economic justice, and founded on the institution of parliamentary democracy". "Democratic Action Party Lim Kit Siang 11th General Election Malaysia" . Retrieved Nov. 7, 2005. In October that year, the DAP joined 55 other socialist parties belonging to the Socialist International (SI) at the SI International Conference in Zurich, Switzerland . Nair, who founded the DAP, later returned to Singapore. Lee Kuan Yew , then Prime Minister Of Singapore under the PAP, explained in 1981 that "the Cabinet decided that Singapore-Malaysia relations would always be bedevilled if Devan Nair remained a DAP leader. I persuaded him to come back." The DAP contested a 2005 . The DAP went on to win 13 Parliamentary seats and 31 State Assembly seats, with 11.9% of all valid votes that were cast in the election; the Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan) which campaigned on a similar platform also made major gains. The 1969 Election marked the biggest gains ever made by an opposition party in Malaysia, and came close to seeing the ruling Alliance toppled from power. However, a march made by the DAP along with Gerakan as part of the opposition led to violence, and resulted in what was euphemistically termed the May 13 Incident . Parliament was suspended for two years, and the executive branch of the government assumed power. Goh, pp. 19, 39. When Parliament reconvened, it passed several pieces of legislation such as the Sedition Act that illegalised discussion of repealing certain portions of the Constitution. Most of these concerned Bumiputra privileges, such as Article 153 . The DAP and the People's Progressive Party (PPP) were the only parties that voted against the Act, which passed by a vote of 125 to 17. Means, Gordon P. (1991). ''Malaysian Politics: The Second Generation'', pp. 14, 15. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-588988-6. After the 1969 election, the DAP never came close to repeating its past successes again. Although the DAP has continued to be a major opposition party, the government has managed to cling solidly to its two-thirds Parliamentary majority. The DAP, however, continued campaigning on its platform of abolishing Bumiputra privileges and establishing a socialist state in Malaysia. In 1987, several of its leaders, including Parliamentary Opposition Leader 2005 . Following the ousting of Deputy Prime Minister ''. In the ''. CHAIRMAN AND CENTRAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Lim Kit Siang was the chairman of the DAP from 1999 to 2004. Until then, he had been Secretary-General of the party since 1969. In 2004 , he stepped down in favour of Karpal Singh as the new Chairman. His son, Lim Guan Eng became Secretary-General. Lim decided to take an advisory role as Chairman of the DAP Policy and Strategic Planning Commission. Lim remained as Parliamentary Opposition Leader. "Lim Kit Siang - Biodata" . Retrieved Nov. 7, 2005. As of 2006, the DAP Deputy Chairman is Tan Seng Giaw , the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kepong. The four vice-chairmen are M. Kulasegaran , MP for Ipoh Barat, Zulkifli Mohammad Noor , Chow Kon Yeow and Richard Wong . "DAP Website: Leadership" . Retrieved Feb. 8, 2006. The DAP also has a Central Executive Committee (CEC). In 2004, 402 (of 591 total national delegates) delegates were present to vote for members of the CEC. The top three were Tan Kok Wai (MP for Cheras) with 337 votes, Fong Po Kuan (MP for Batu Gajah) with 334 votes and Chow Kon Yeow with 333 votes. Ooi, Jeff (2004). "Gee, I slept through a scoop!" Retrieved Jan. 29, 2006. PROMINENT LEADERS Members of Parliament
Others Other prominent members include Secretary General Lim Guan Eng, and ex-party member Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye . Lim Guan Eng was unable to contest in the 2004 general election due to specific legal requirements not being met at nomination time. "Lim Guan Eng released but his civil rights remain curtailed" . Retrieved Feb. 8, 2006. Lee Lam Thye has since been active as a social activist, particularly in the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation, the Malaysian Red Crescent, the Royal Commission on Police, and the National Service Programme. He was previously an elected MP for Bukit Bintang. "Media Prima Bhd" . Retrieved Feb. 8, 2006. SEE ALSO NOTES AND REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINK |
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