Democratic Action Party (Redirected from Democratic Action Party (Malaysia))

Democratic Action Party
Malay nameParti Tindakan Demokratik
ڤرتي تيندقن ديموکراتيک
Chinese name民主行动党
民主行動黨
Bîn-chú Hêng-tōng-tóng
Man4 zyu2 hang4 dung6 dong2
Mínzhǔ Xíngdòng Dǎng
Tamil nameஜனநாயக செயல் கட்சி
Jaṉanāyaka Ceyal Kaṭci
AbbreviationDAP
Secretary-GeneralAnthony Loke Siew Fook
National ChairmanLim Guan Eng
National Deputy ChairmanGobind Singh Deo
National Vice-Chairmen
Deputy Secretaries-General
Founders
Founded11 October 1965; 58 years ago (1965-10-11)
Legalised18 March 1966; 57 years ago (1966-03-18)
Split fromPeople's Action Party (Singapore)
Preceded byPeople's Action Party of Malaya
HeadquartersJalan Yew, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
NewspaperThe Rocket RoketKini
Student wingMahasiswa Roket
Youth wingDAP Socialist Youth
Membership (2022)875,584
Ideology
Political positionCentre-left
National affiliationGagasan Rakyat (1990–1996)
Barisan Alternatif (1999–2004)
Pakatan Rakyat (2008–2015)
Pakatan Harapan (since 2015)
Regional affiliationNetwork of Social Democracy in Asia
International affiliationSocialist International (1987–2017)
Progressive Alliance (2012–present)
Colours Red
White
Blue
SloganMalaysian Malaysia and Malaysian First
AnthemBerjuang Untuk Rakyat Malaysia!
(Fighting for the Malaysian People!)
Dewan Negara:
4 / 70
Dewan Rakyat:
40 / 222
Dewan Undangan Negeri:
90 / 606
Chief minister of states
1 / 13
Election symbol

except DAP Sarawak

DAP Sarawak only
Party flag
Website
www.dapmalaysia.org

The Democratic Action Party (abbreviation: DAP; Malay: Parti Tindakan Demokratik‬; Chinese: 民主行动党; Tamil: ஜனநாயக செயல் கட்சி) is a centre-left social democratic political party in Malaysia. As one of four component parties of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, it formed the federal government after defeating Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 2018 Malaysian general election, ending the party's 53 year-long stay in the opposition. However, before the coalition finished its first term, defections from partnering parties caused it to lose power after 22 months, culminating in the 2020 Malaysian political crisis. At the 2022 Malaysian general election, the PH coalition which the DAP was part of was returned to power again, albeit without a majority, leading it to form a unity government with political rivals.

The DAP was founded in 1965 by Malaya–based members of the Singaporean People's Action Party (PAP), Chen Man Hin and Devan Nair, shortly after Singapore's expulsion from Malaysia. Singapore's expulsion was in part due to intense ideological differences between the federal government, led by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which favoured the idea of Ketuanan Melayu and Malay racial nationalism for the country. In contrast, the PAP favoured a more egalitarian and civic nationalist Malaysian Malaysia, which the DAP would continue to espouse. Following the expulsion, the PAP was elected as the ruling government of a newly sovereign Singapore, and would continue to operate on a platform of civic nationalism.

The DAP draws much of its support from secular and liberal voters with a stable electorate from voters of cities, coastal regions, the middle class (comprising professionals), and the working class. The party's strongholds are primarily in the urban and semi-urban areas of Penang, Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Malacca and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. In the 2018 Malaysian general election, the party contested in 47 federal and 104 state constituencies under the banner of its ally the People's Justice Party, winning 42 and 102 seats respectively, except in Sarawak, where the party's state branch chose to contest under its own banner.

History

Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Member of Parliament for Seremban and Member of the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly for Chennah, has served as the 6th Secretary-General, the most powerful position of the party since March 2022.

Formation

The party is the direct successor of the Malaysian branch of the Singapore–based People's Action Party (PAP), which was then known as the People's Action Party of Malaya. Singapore's expulsion from Malaysia led to its deregistration in 1965 by the Registrar of Societies (RoS). The deregistered party's leadership consisted of Devan Nair (secretary-general), Chen Man Hin (chairman), D. P. Xavier (assistant secretary-general), Goh Hock Guan (vice-chairman), Seeveratnam Sinnathamby (treasurer), who was the younger brother of Singapore minister S. Rajaratnam, with Zain Azahari bin Zainal Abidin, Chin Chan Sung, Michael Khong Chye Huat, Tan Chong Bee and Too Chee Cheong as committee members.

The Democratic Action Party was officially formed on 11 October 1965 by the remnants of the People's Action Party of Malaya. However, the registration of the party was delayed to 18 March 1966 while the ruling Alliance Party laid out new conditions for the registration of political parties in the Societies Act 1966. While awaiting the party's registration, party chairman Chen Man Hin won the state constituency of Rahang, Negeri Sembilan as an independent in December 1965.

In the August 1966 the official party organ, The Rocket, was first published.

The party adopted the Setapak Declaration at the first DAP National Congress held on 29 July 1967, declaring itself "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", and later joined the Socialist International, participating in the organisation's International Council in Zurich, Switzerland.

Early electoral success

In 1967, the party was involved in discussions to form a united front of opposition parties against the Alliance coalition ahead of the 1969 general election without success.

In March 1968, the party negotiated an agreement with the People's Progressive Party(PPP) to avoid contesting against each other in the state of Perak for the upcoming general election. The DAP sought to achieve a similar agreement with the United Democratic Party (UDP), whose stronghold was Penang, but failed to come to an understanding with its leader Lim Chong Eu, who sarcastically thanked DAP secretary-general Goh Hock Guan for "his very smug condescension." The same month, the DAP was approached by the newly formed Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, then led by Syed Hussein Alatas, which suggested the DAP merge into the new party.

Devan Nair, who was amongst those who founded the DAP, returned to Singapore in 1969 after being withdrawn as a candidate for the 1969 general election, later becoming its president in 1981. 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 general election for the first time in 1969 together with both the People's Progressive Party and Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia in an electoral pact. In line with their commitment to equality, the DAP originally campaigned against Bumiputera privileges, such as those afforded to them by Article 153 of the Constitution. They also continued Lee Kuan Yew's campaign for a "Malaysian Malaysia", the idea of which was originally conveyed by Lee in Parliament: "Malaysia – to whom does it belong? To Malaysians. But who are Malaysians? I hope I am, Mr Speaker, Sir. But sometimes, sitting in this chamber, I doubt whether I am allowed to be a Malaysian".

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 before 2008, and came close to seeing the ruling Alliance toppled from power. However, the racial riots sparked by provocative political rallies in the immediate aftermath of the election led to what is now known as the 13 May Incident, resulting in the suspension of parliament and the formation of the National Operations Council, which governed the country until 1971 in place of the elected government.

When parliament reconvened, it passed pieces of legislation such as the Sedition Act that criminalized the 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 were the only parties that voted against the Act, which passed by a vote of 125 to 17. After the 1969 election, the DAP would never come close to repeating its past successes for the next 38 years. Although the DAP remained a major opposition party, the ruling coalition had clung solidly to its two-thirds parliamentary majority. The DAP, however, continued campaigning on its platform of abolishing the Bumiputra privileges, securing equal rights for all Malaysians, and establishing a democratic socialist state in Malaysia.

1970–2007

The party boycotted the National Consultative Council, a body formed in the aftermath of the 1969 racial riots to "establish positive and practical guidelines for inter-racial co-operation and social integration", in protest of the government's continued detention of its secretary-general, Lim Kit Siang, under the Internal Security Act.

In 1978, the party experienced a split when founding member and Penang state chairman Yeap Ghim Guan left and formed the Socialist Democratic Party after attempts by the national leadership to take over the party's state leadership. Yeap was joined by the entire state committee and member of parliament for Petaling Oh Keng Seng. They were later joined by party stalwart Fan Yew Teng, who had served as acting secretary-general while Lim was detained under the Internal Security Act and was the member of parliament for Menglembu. Those who had left the party all labelled Lim's leadership as "dictatorial".

The party suffered more defections in the lead-up to the 1978 Malaysian general election, when one of its most prominent Malay members, Daing Ibrahim Othman, left the party in protest of the leadership's decision to move him to another constituency, which was followed by a number of resignations in Negeri Sembilan for similar reasons.

During the Mahathir administration in 1987, several DAP leaders, including Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang, were detained by the government without trial during Operation Lalang, under the accusation of being a national security threat. It is widely believed they were arrested for protesting the expansion of the New Economic Policy.

In 1995, the party ran what has become widely known as the "Robocop" campaign to wrest Penang from the Barisan Nasional. Despite the hype, the campaign was a failure as the party only won one state and three parliamentary seats. The strategy backfired when Prime Minister Mahathir, BN leaders and the media criticised Lim Kit Siang as a "robot" and "soulless" person.

Following the ousting of Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in September 1998, DAP co-founded the Barisan Alternatif coalition along with Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party and the newly formed People's Justice Party. However, the coalition did not work out very well for the DAP, with two of its top leaders, Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh losing their Parliamentary seats in the 1999 election; the DAP managed to win only 5% (10 out of 193) of the seats in Parliament. PAS became the leading opposition party in Parliament. It left the coalition in 2001 due to a disagreement with PAS over the issue of an Islamic state.[unreliable source?]

In the 2004 general election, the DAP managed to capture 12 seats in Parliament, while PAS and Keadilan suffered major setbacks, with PAS losing 20 of the 27 seats it had held after the 1999 elections, and Keadilan lost all seats except one returned after a recount. The eventual outcome saw Lim Kit Siang, who had been elected in his constituency of Ipoh Timur with a majority of 10,000 votes, formally elected as the leader of the opposition in Parliament, a post he had lost to the president of PAS in 1999.

In the 2006 Sarawak state election, the Democratic Action Party won 6 of the 12 seats it contested and narrowly lost three other seats with small majorities. Up til then it was the party's best showing ever in the history of Sarawak's state elections since 1979.

2008–2015

Pakatan Rakyat was formed in 2008 by DAP, PKR and PAS. In the 2008 general election, the DAP won 13% (28 out of 222) of the seats in the Dewan Rakyat, with PAS and PKR making substantial gains as well with 23 seats and 31 seats respectively. In total, the taking of 82 seats (37%) by the opposition to Barisan Nasional's 140 seats (63%), makes it the best performance in Malaysian history by the opposition, and denied Barisan Nasional the two-thirds majority required to make constitutional changes in the Dewan Rakyat. DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang expressed surprise at the election results but declared it to be the true power of the voice of the Malaysian people for the leaders of the country to hear them. In addition, DAP, having secured all its contested seats in the state of Penang, formed the Penang state government with its alliance partners PKR and PAS, the Chief Minister being DAP's Lim Guan Eng, son of Lim Kit Siang.

In the 2011 Sarawak state election, DAP furthered its gains from the previous election, winning 12 out of the 70 state assembly seats, with PR winning a total of 15 state seats and 41% of the popular vote. The PR's success was further enhanced in the 2013 general election when DAP went on to win 17% (38 out of 222) of the seats in the Dewan Rakyat and the PR coalition won the popular vote, giving the BN government its worst election showing since independence. In 2015, the PR alliance broke up after a PAS Muktamar (General Assembly) motion unanimously approved the breaking of ties with DAP due to disagreements over PAS's decision to propose a private member's bill to implement "hudud" (Islamic penal code). Following PAS's decision to cut ties with DAP, DAP announced that PR had "ceased to exist".

At the DAP election in December 2012, Vincent Wu, who was initially declared to have secured the sixth spot with 1,202 votes, dropped to 26th place because he had actually secured only 669. Zairil Khir Johari was elected to the central executive committee (CEC) with 803 votes to secure the 20th spot. The glitch, reportedly because of a vote tabulation error due to the copy-and-paste method in Microsoft Excel, had raised suspicion. The DAP admitted to the counting error after discovering the mistake. The DAP election fiasco had caused unease among party members and led to protests to the Registrar of Societies (RoS). Two dissatisfied life members of the DAP then lodged reports with the RoS on the party elections following the revelations. Following the report the RoS had informed DAP of the dispute by its members and in turn as provided for under Section 3A of the Societies Act 1966 did recognise the office-bearers of the committee formed in the party elections on 15 December 2012, the point of contention.

DAP chairperson Karpal Singh said DAP will contest under the PAS logo for the Peninsula and PKR logo in Sabah and Sarawak in the 13th general election, following the Registrar of Societies' (RoS) failure to respond on the withdrawal letter of RoS informing that it does not recognise the party's top leadership line-up. DAP had appealed to the RoS to withdraw its letter to suspend the party's existing central executive committee (CEC) but the department was silent on the matter.

On 19 April 2013, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng informed all its 51 parliament and 103 state candidates to use the rocket symbol first during nomination tomorrow, and show the Election Commission the letter of authorisation signed by secretary-general Lim Guan Eng. If the rocket symbol is rejected, then use the letter of authorisation signed by PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali for Peninsula Malaysia and PKR letter of authorisation for Sabah and Sarawak. This came after the DAP decided to use PAS and PKR symbols for the coming general election on 5 May. He said the DAP headquarters in Kuala Lumpur received a letter by hand from the RoS at 10 p.m. on 19 April, stating that it had no objections to the DAP using the logo, and that the Election Commission (EC) had informed all returning officers to accept nominations from the DAP.

On 29 September 2013, DAP held a special congress to vote for a new Central Executive Committee.

2015–2019

On 22 September 2015, the Pakatan Harapan coalition was formed by DAP, PKR and the National Trust Party to succeed Pakatan Rakyat. In the 2016 Sarawak state election, the party lost its gains from the previous election, retaining only 7 of the 12 seats it had won in 2011, while Pakatan Harapan as whole won 10 state seats and 30.16% of the popular vote.

On 12 February 2017, Kota Melaka MP, Sim Tong Him, along with three other DAP state assemblymen from Melaka, Goh (Duyong), Lim Jack Wong (Bachang), and Chin Choong Seong (Kesidang), announced their resignation from the party, citing a lack of trust in the party's leadership.

The party participated in the 2018 general election as a part of Pakatan Harapan, now a four-member coalition with the addition of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysian (BERSATU). During the election, the coalition won 113 seats and was able to form the federal government after securing an alliance with the Sabah Heritage Party. The DAP won 42 seats of the 47 seats it contested, making it the second-largest party from Pakatan Harapan in the parliament's lower house behind PKR, which had won 47 seats. The party was given six ministerial portfolios and secured seven deputy minister positions in the Seventh Mahathir cabinet, with then-secretary-general of the party Lim Guan Eng being appointed Minister of Finance, becoming the first person of Malaysian Chinese descent to hold the position in 44 years since Tan Siew Sin from the Malaysian Chinese Association, who served in that capacity from 1959 until 1974. Other ministerial appointments included Loke Siew Fook as Minister of Transport, who eventually replaced Lim Kit Siang as DAP parliamentary leader on 11 July 2018, Kulasegaran Murugeson as Minister of Human Resources, Yeo Bee Yin as Minister of Energy, Teresa Kok as Minister of Primary Industries, and Gobind Singh Deo as Minister of Communications and Multimedia.

2020–2022 Malaysian political crisis

On 24 February 2020, the DAP became the largest party in the Dewan Rakyat for the first time after 11 of the People's Justice Party's 50 MPs resigned during the political crisis. UMNO had also lost 16 of its 54 MPs over several months, mostly through defections to Bersatu. Though the political crisis resulted in the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government, it retained its 42 MPs. However, over the course of the crisis, a number of state assemblymen defected to opposing coalitions. On 9 March 2020, Paul Yong and A Sivasubramaniam left the party to join the new Perikatan Nasional state government in Perak. The next day on 10 March, DAP expelled Norhizam Hassan Baktee, assemblyman for Pengkalan Batu, over his support for the new Perikatan Nasional government in Melaka. The party also expelled Sabah assemblyman Ronnie Loh for his support of Perikatan's attempt to replace Sabah state government led by Shafie Apdal and his Warisan Plus coalition.

Separately, the party's Sarawak vice-chairman and Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei resigned on 27 July 2020, claiming the party had deviated from its objectives and citing his disillusionment with party leadership. He continued to hold his seat as an independent until his term ended in 2021.

Ethnic diversity

DAP was founded by Chen Man Hin and Devan Nair, who were ethnic Chinese and Indian respectively. The majority of DAP's party membership is of ethnic Chinese and Indian heritage, with most elected positions within the party being held by Chinese or Indian members. While the party has fielded Malay candidates in every general election since 1969, only five had ever been elected by 2008. Of the five, two had been elected in 1969 as state legislative assemblymen, while the party's first Malay member of parliament was only elected in 1990. The DAP also only gained its first native Sabahan (Kadazandusun) legislator in the 2013, Edwin Jack Bosi, who sat in Sabah State Legislative Assembly. The lack of Malay members within the party has led to DAP being viewed as a "racist" or "anti-Malay" party by political opponents in that it is exclusively concerned with the issues of the Chinese or Indian communities.

Allegations of racism and chauvinism

Despite constant rebuttals by party leaders, DAP has been depicted by their political opponents, especially from UMNO, as a party that favours the Malaysian Chinese minority above others. This allegation of racial chauvinism culminated in a two-piece television program broadcast on government-controlled TV channel Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) entitled "Bahaya Cauvinisme", which translates to "Dangers of Chauvinism". The program forced then party leader Lim Kit Siang to issue a formal media statement to counter the allegations.

On 15 November 2011, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the Malaysian Minister for Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism, accused DAP's publicity chief, Tony Pua of racism for making repeated attacks against the Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia, a government initiative to supply cheap retail products to Malaysian consumers. Tony Pua was criticised for singling out Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia, whose suppliers to the store generally come from the Malaysian Bumiputra community, and for not investigating the quality of products supplied by Malaysian-Chinese suppliers or making similar accusations against independent Malaysian-Chinese stores.

Allegations of racism have forced DAP party leader Lim Guan Eng to issue a formal denial in the Penang High Court.

Party symbols

The symbol or logo of the DAP (see above) is the rocket, which it has used since the 1969 general election. Its components are symbolised as follows:

  • The red rocket symbolises the Party's aspiration for a modern, dynamic and progressive society
  • The four rocket boosters represent the support and drive given to the Party objectives by the three major ethnicities (Malay, Chinese, Indian) and others
  • The blue circle stands for the unity of the multi-racial people of Malaysia
  • The white background stands for purity and incorruptibility

Ubah mascot

Ubah bird, the official mascot of DAP

In 2008, DAP initially introduced "Rocket Kid", a rocket as the party's official mascot during the 12th Malaysian general election. This was then changed to Ubah bird, a hornbill which was designed by Ooi Leng Hang and was launched during the Sarawak state election in 2011 and also used as part of their political campaigning during the 13th Malaysian general election in 2013. DAP had adopted this bird as a symbol for change both for its unique characteristics, hardiness and representation of the unity of both East Malaysia and West Malaysia into a Malaysian nation. Its merchandise such as plush toys, buttons and car stickers were very well received by the public. The idea of the mascot came from Sarawak DAP Secretary and future state party chairman, Chong Chieng Jen, who felt a mascot would boost the spirit of the people. The name "Ubah", which means "change" in Malay, is in line with the party's aspirations in changing the ruling party of the Malaysian federal government. In addition to its original Sarawak Iban costume, "Ubah" now comes in a Malay costume for Hari Raya, Indian costume for Deepavali, Chinese costume for Chinese New Year, Santa Claus costume for Christmas, and a Superman costume that depicts the power of the people. On 13 July 2013, a gigantic float known as the "Ubah Inflatable Bird (Water Ubah)" was officially launched at IJM Promenade, Jelutong, Penang by DAP Secretary General Lim Guan Eng.

Songs

DAP's official party anthem is Berjuang Untuk Rakyat Malaysia (Fighting for the Malaysian People).

Other than the official party anthem, DAP has also unveiled several theme songs and music videos mostly with an Ubah theme such as "Ubah" with over 1,000,000 views, 明天 with over 500,000 views and "Ubah Rocket Style" with over 300,000 views, which is a parody of the viral YouTube hit "Gangnam Style".

Leadership structure

Central Executive Committee

Lim Guan Eng, current National Chairman
Anthony Loke, current Secretary-General

The Central Executive Committee (CEC) serves as the party's executive body and its 30 members are elected by party delegates during a national congress held every three years. The CEC, in turn, elects the party's national leadership from among its own members, including the Secretary-General, in whom executive power is vested. The current Secretary-General is Minister of Transport Anthony Loke. The latest leadership structure can be found below.

Lists of the leaders of the Democratic Action Party

Life Advisor

No. Portrait Life Advisor

(Lifespan)

Office

Term of office & mandate

(Duration in years and days)

1 Chen Man Hin
(1924–2022)
MP for Seremban, 1974–1982 & 1983–1990
MP for Seremban Timor, 1969–1974
MLA for Rahang, 1965–1982
3 December 1999 17 August 2022 13th (1999)
22 years, 257 days 14th (2004)
15th (2008)
16th (2012, 2013, 2017)
17th (2022)

Advisor

No. Portrait Advisor

(Lifespan)
Office

Term of office & mandate

(Duration in years and days)

1 Tan Kok Wai
(born 1957)
MP for Sungai Besi, 1986–1995
MP for Cheras, since 1995
20 March 2022 Incumbent 17th (2022)
1 year, 362 days

Mentor

No. Portrait Mentor

(Lifespan) Office

Term of office & mandate

(Duration in years and days)

1 Lim Kit Siang
(born 1941)
MP for Bandar Melaka, 1969–1974
MP for Kota Melaka, 1974–1978 & 1982–1986
MP for Petaling, 1978–1982
MP for Tanjong, 1986–1999
MP for Ipoh Timor, 2004–2013
MP for Gelang Patah, 2013–2018
MP for Iskandar Puteri, 2018–2022
MLA for Kubu, 1974–1982
MLA for Kampong Kolam, 1986–1990
MLA for Padang Kota, 1990–1995
20 March 2022 12 April 2022 17th (2022)
23 days

National Chairmen

No. Portrait National Chairman

(Lifespan)

Office

Term of office & mandate

(Duration in years and days)

National Deputy Chairman
1 Chen Man Hin
(1924–2022)
MP for Seremban, 1974–1982 & 1983–1990
MP for Seremban Timor, 1969–1974
MLA for Rahang, 1965–1982
18 March 1966 3 December 1999 1st (1967)
33 years, 260 days 2nd (1969)
12th (1995)
2 Lim Kit Siang
(born 1941)
MP for Bandar Melaka, 1969–1974
MP for Kota Melaka, 1974–1978 & 1982–1986
MP for Petaling, 1978–1982
MP for Tanjong, 1986–1999
MP for Ipoh Timor, 2004–2013
MP for Gelang Patah, 2013–2018
MP for Iskandar Puteri, 2018–2022
MLA for Kubu, 1974–1982
MLA for Kampong Kolam, 1986–1990
MLA for Padang Kota, 1990–1995
3 December 1999 4 September 2004 13th (1999)
4 years, 276 days
3 Karpal Singh
(1940–2014)
MP for Jelutong, 1978–1999
MP for Bukit Gelugor, 2004–2014
4 September 2004 29 March 2014 14th (2004) Tan Kok Wai

(–2014)
9 years, 206 days 15th (2008)

16th (2012, 2013)

4 Tan Kok Wai
(born 1957)
MP for Sungai Besi, 1986–1995
MP for Cheras, since 1995
29 March 2014 20 March 2022 – 16th (2017) Gobind Singh Deo

(since 2017)
7 years, 356 days
5 Lim Guan Eng
(born 1960)
MP for Kota Melaka, 1986–1999
MP for Bagan, since 2008
MLA for Air Putih, since 2008
20 March 2022 Incumbent 17th (2022)
1 year, 362 days

Secretaries-General

No. Portrait Secretary-General

(Lifespan)

Office

Term of office & mandate

(Duration in years and days)

Deputy Secretary-General
1 Devan Nair
(1923–2005)
MP for Bangsar, 1964–1969
18 March 1966 30 July 1967 D. P. Xavier
1 year, 134 days
2 Goh Hock Guan
(1935–2018)
MP for Bangsar, 1969–1974
30 July 1967 1 October 1969 1st (1967)
2 years, 63 days
3 Lim Kit Siang
(born 1941)
MP for Bandar Melaka, 1969–1974
MP for Kota Melaka, 1974–1978 & 1982–1986
MP for Petaling, 1978–1982
MP for Tanjong, 1986–1999
MP for Ipoh Timor, 2004–2013
MP for Gelang Patah, 2013–2018
MP for Iskandar Puteri, 2018–2022
MLA for Kubu, 1974–1982
MLA for Kampong Kolam, 1986–1990
MLA for Padang Kota, 1990–1995
1 October 1970 3 December 1999 2nd (1969) Lim Guan Eng

(1995–2004)
29 years, 63 days 12th (1995)
4 Kerk Kim Hock
(1956–2017)
MP for Pasir Pinji, 1990–1999
MP for Kota Melaka, 1999–2004
MLA for Durian Daun, 1986–1990
3 December 1999 5 May 2002 13th (1999)
2 years, 153 days
22 September 2002 28 March 2004
1 year, 188 days
5 Lim Guan Eng
(born 1960)
MP for Kota Melaka, 1986–1999
MP for Bagan, since 2008
MLA for Air Putih, since 2008
4 September 2004 20 March 2022 14th (2004) Chong Eng

(–2017)
Ramasamy Palanisamy

(–2017)
Ngeh Koo Ham

(–2017)
Nga Kor Ming

(2017–2022)
15th (2008)
16th (2012 & 2013 & 2017) Teresa Kok Suh Sim

(2017–2022)
17 years, 197 days V. Sivakumar

(since 2017)
6 Anthony Loke Siew Fook
(born 1977)
MP for Rasah, 2008–2013
MP for Seremban, since 2013
MLA for Lobak, 2004–2013
MLA for Chennah, since 2013
20 March 2022 Incumbent 17th (2022)
1 year, 362 days Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji

(since 2022)
Liew Chin Tong

(since 2022)

Acting Secretaries-General

No. Portrait Acting Secretary-General

(Lifespan)

Office

Term of office & mandate

(Duration in years and days)

Deputy Secretary-General
1 Fan Yew Teng
(1942–2010)
MP for Kampar, 1969–1974
MP for Menglembu, 1974–1978
MLA for Petaling Jaya, 1974–1978
1 October 1969 1 October 1970 – 2nd (1969)
1 year, 0 days
2 Chong Eng
(born 1957)
MP for Bukit Mertajam, 1999–2013
MLA for Batu Lancang, 1995–1999
MLA for Padang Lalang, 2013–2023
5 May 2002 22 September 2002 – 13th (1999)
140 days
3 M. Kulasegaran
(born 1957)
MP for Teluk Intan, 1997–1999
MP for Ipoh Barat, since 2004
28 March 2004 4 September 2004
184 days

Note: The Acting Secretary-General is appointed when the Secretary-General is incapable of carrying out their duties or if the position is vacated before an election can be held.. Lim Kit Siang was elected as Secretary-General in October 1969 while detained under the ISA and Fan Yew Teng was Acting Secretary-General. Chong Eng took over for Kerk Kim Hock while the latter sought treatment for rectal cancer. M. Kulasegaran was Acting Secretary-General after Kerk Kim Hock lost his seat in parliament and resigned before Lim Guan Eng was elected Secretary-General.

Chairman of the Central Policy and Strategic Planning Commission

No. Portrait Chairman of Central Policy and

Strategic Planning Commission

(Lifespan)

Office

Term of office & mandate

(Duration in years and days)

1 Lim Kit Siang
(born 1941)
MP for Bandar Melaka, 1969–1974
MP for Kota Melaka, 1974–1978 & 1982–1986
MP for Petaling, 1978–1982
MP for Tanjong, 1986–1999
MP for Ipoh Timor, 2004–2013
MP for Gelang Patah, 2013–2018
MP for Iskandar Puteri, 2018–2022
MLA for Kubu, 1974–1982
MLA for Kampong Kolam, 1986–1990
MLA for Padang Kota, 1990–1995
4 September 2004 Incumbent 14th (2004)
19 years, 194 days 15th (2008)
16th (2012, 2013, 2017)
17th (2022)

Note: Chairman of the Central Policy and Strategic Planning Commission is a newly created position on 2004 when Lim Kit Siang refused to be re-elected as Chairman of DAP.

Parliamentary Leaders

No. Portrait Parliamentary Leader

(Lifespan)

Office

Term of office & mandate

(Duration in years and days)

1 Lim Kit Siang
(born 1941)
MP for Bandar Melaka, 1969–1974
MP for Kota Melaka, 1974–1978 & 1982–1986
MP for Petaling, 1978–1982
MP for Tanjong, 1986–1999
MP for Ipoh Timor, 2004–2013
MP for Gelang Patah, 2013–2018
MP for Iskandar Puteri, 2018–2022
MLA for Kubu, 1974–1982
MLA for Kampong Kolam, 1986–1990
MLA for Padang Kota, 1990–1995
5 March 2008 11 July 2018 15th (2008)

16th (2012, 2013, 2017)

10 years, 128 days
2 Anthony Loke Siew Fook
(born 1977)
MP for Rasah, 2008–2013
MP for Seremban, since 2013
MLA for Lobak, 2004–2013
MLA for Chennah, since 2013
11 July 2018 20 March 2022 – 16th (2012, 2013, 2017)
3 years, 252 days
3 Nga Kor Ming
(born 1972)
MP for Taiping, 2008–2018
MP for Teluk Intan, since 2018
MLA for Pantai Remis, 1999–2013
MLA for Kepayang, 2013–2018, since 2022
MLA for Aulong, 2018–2022
20 March 2022 Incumbent 17th (2022)
1 year, 362 days

Elected representatives

Dewan Negara (Senate)

Senators

Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives)

Members of Parliament of the 15th Malaysian Parliament

DAP has 40 members in the House of Representatives.

State No. Parliament Constituency Member Party
 Penang P043 Bagan Lim Guan Eng DAP
P045 Bukit Mertajam Steven Sim Chee Keong DAP
P046 Batu Kawan Chow Kon Yeow DAP
P048 Bukit Bendera Syerleena Abdul Rashid DAP
P049 Tanjong Lim Hui Ying DAP
P050 Jelutong Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer Rajaji Rayer DAP
P051 Bukit Gelugor Ramkarpal Singh DAP
 Perak P060 Taiping Wong Kah Woh DAP
P064 Ipoh Timor Howard Lee Chuan How DAP
P065 Ipoh Barat Kulasegaran Murugeson DAP
P066 Batu Gajah Sivakumar Varatharaju Naidu DAP
P068 Beruas Ngeh Koo Ham DAP
P070 Kampar Chong Zhemin DAP
P076 Teluk Intan Nga Kor Ming DAP
 Pahang P080 Raub Chow Yu Hui DAP
P089 Bentong Young Syefura Othman DAP
 Selangor P102 Bangi Syahredzan Johan DAP
P103 Puchong Yeo Bee Yin DAP
P106 Damansara Gobind Singh Deo DAP
P110 Klang Ganabatirau Veraman DAP
 Kuala Lumpur P114 Kepong Lim Lip Eng DAP
P117 Segambut Hannah Yeoh Tseow Suan DAP
P120 Bukit Bintang Fong Kui Lun DAP
P122 Seputeh Teresa Kok Suh Sim DAP
P123 Cheras Tan Kok Wai DAP
 Negeri Sembilan P128 Seremban Loke Siew Fook DAP
P130 Rasah Cha Kee Chin DAP
 Malacca P138 Kota Melaka Khoo Poay Tiong DAP
 Johor P142 Labis Pang Hok Liong DAP
P145 Bakri Tan Hong Pin DAP
P152 Kluang Wong Shu Qi DAP
P162 Iskandar Puteri Liew Chin Tong DAP
P163 Kulai Teo Nie Ching DAP
 Sabah P172 Kota Kinabalu Chan Foong Hin DAP
P186 Sandakan Vivian Wong Shir Yee DAP
 Sarawak P192 Mas Gading Mordi Bimol DAP
P195 Bandar Kuching Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen DAP
P196 Stampin Chong Chieng Jen DAP
P211 Lanang Alice Lau Kiong Yieng DAP
P212 Sibu Oscar Ling Chai Yew DAP
Total Penang (7), Perak (7), Pahang (2), Selangor (4), F.T. Kuala Lumpur (5), Negeri Sembilan (2), Malacca (1), Johor (5), Sabah (2), Sarawak (5)

Dewan Undangan Negeri (State Legislative Assembly)

Malaysian State Assembly Representatives

State No. Parliament Constituency No. State Constituency Member Party
 Kedah P9 Alor Setar N13 Kota Darul Aman Teh Swee Leong DAP
 Penang P43 Bagan N7 Sungai Puyu Phee Syn Tze DAP
N8 Bagan Jermal Chee Yeeh Keen DAP
N9 Bagan Dalam Kumaran Krishnan DAP
P45 Bukit Mertajam N13 Berapit Heng Lee Lee DAP
N15 Padang Lalang Daniel Gooi Zi Sen DAP
P46 Batu Kawan N16 Perai Sundarajoo Somu DAP
P47 Nibong Tebal N19 Jawi Jason H’ng Mooi Lye DAP
P48 Bukit Bendera N22 Tanjong Bunga Zairil Khir Johari DAP
N23 Air Putih Lim Guan Eng DAP
N25 Pulau Tikus Joshua Woo Sze Zeng DAP
P49 Tanjong N26 Padang Kota Chow Kon Yeow DAP
N27 Pengkalan Kota Wong Yuee Harng DAP
N28 Komtar Teh Lai Heng DAP
P50 Jelutong N29 Datok Keramat Jagdeep Singh Deo DAP
N30 Sungai Pinang Lim Siew Khim DAP
N31 Batu Lancang Ong Ah Teong DAP
P51 Bukit Gelugor N32 Seri Delima Connie Tan Hooi Peng DAP
N33 Air Itam Joseph Ng Soon Siang DAP
N34 Paya Terubong Wong Hon Wai DAP
 Perak P60 Taiping N17 Pokok Assam Ong Seng Guan DAP
N18 Aulong Teh Kok Lim DAP
P62 Sungai Siput N22 Jalong Loh Sze Yee DAP
P64 Ipoh Timor N25 Canning Jenny Choy Tsi Jen DAP
N26 Tebing Tinggi Abdul Aziz Bari DAP
N27 Pasir Pinji Goh See Hua DAP
P65 Ipoh Barat N28 Bercham Ong Boon Piow DAP
N29 Kepayang Nga Kor Ming DAP
N30 Buntong Thulsi Thivani Manogaran DAP
P66 Batu Gajah N31 Jelapang Cheah Poh Hian DAP
N32 Menglembu Chaw Kam Foon DAP
N33 Tronoh Steven Tiw Tee Siang DAP
P68 Beruas N37 Pantai Remis Wong May Ing DAP
N38 Astaka Jason Ng Thien Yeong DAP
P70 Kampar N41 Malim Nawar Bhavani Veraiah DAP
N42 Keranji Angeline Koo Haai Yen DAP
P76 Teluk Intan N55 Pasir Bedamar Woo Kah Leong DAP
P77 Tanjong Malim N57 Sungkai Sivanesan Achalingam DAP
 Pahang P78 Cameron Highlands N1 Tanah Rata Ho Chi Yang DAP
P80 Raub N7 Tras Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji DAP
P88 Temerloh N30 Mentakab Woo Chee Wan DAP
P89 Bentong N33 Bilut Lee Chin Chen DAP
N34 Ketari Thomas Su Keong Siong DAP
P90 Bera N36 Triang Leong Yu Man DAP
 Selangor P93 Sungai Besar N4 Sekinchan Ng Suee Lim DAP
P94 Hulu Selangor N6 Kuala Kubu Baharu Lee Kee Hiong DAP
P100 Pandan N22 Teratai Yew Jia Haur DAP
P102 Bangi N27 Balakong Wayne Ong Chun Wei DAP
P103 Puchong N28 Seri Kembangan Wong Siew Ki DAP
P104 Subang N30 Kinrara Ng Sze Han DAP
N31 Subang Jaya Michelle Ng Mei Sze DAP
P105 Petaling Jaya N34 Bukit Gasing Rajiv Rishyakaran DAP
P106 Damansara N35 Kampung Tunku Lim Yi Wei DAP
N36 Bandar Utama Jamaliah Jamaluddin DAP
P110 Klang N45 Bandar Baru Klang Quah Perng Fei DAP
N47 Pandamaran Tony Leong Tuck Chee DAP
P111 Kota Raja N50 Kota Kemuning Preakas Sampunathan DAP
P112 Kuala Langat N52 Banting Papparaidu Veraman DAP
P113 Sepang N56 Sungai Pelek Lwi Kian Keong DAP
 Negeri Sembilan P126 Jelebu N1 Chennah Anthony Loke Siew Fook DAP
P127 Jempol N8 Bahau Teo Kok Seong DAP
P128 Seremban N10 Nilai Arul Kumar Jambunathan DAP
N11 Lobak Chew Seh Yong DAP
N12 Temiang Ng Chin Tsai DAP
P130 Rasah N21 Bukit Kepayang Nicole Tan Lee Koon DAP
N22 Rahang Siau Meow Kong DAP
N23 Mambau Yap Yew Weng DAP
N24 Seremban Jaya Gunasekaren Palasamy DAP
P132 Port Dickson N30 Lukut Choo Ken Hwa DAP
P133 Tampin N36 Repah Veerapan Superamaniam DAP
 Malacca P137 Hang Tuah Jaya N16 Ayer Keroh Kerk Chee Yee DAP
P138 Kota Melaka N19 Kesidang Allex Seah Shoo Chin DAP
N20 Kota Laksamana Low Chee Leong DAP
N22 Bandar Hilir Leng Chau Yen DAP
 Johor P140 Segamat N2 Jementah Ng Kor Sim DAP
P144 Ledang N10 Tangkak Ee Chin Li DAP
P145 Bakri N12 Bentayan Ng Yak Howe DAP
P150 Batu Pahat N23 Penggaram Gan Peck Cheng DAP
P152 Kluang N28 Mengkibol Chew Chong Sin DAP
P159 Pasir Gudang N42 Johor Jaya Liow Cai Tung DAP
P160 Johor Bahru N45 Stulang Andrew Chen Kah Eng DAP
P161 Pulai N46 Perling Liew Chin Tong DAP
P162 Iskandar Puteri N48 Skudai Marina Ibrahim DAP
P163 Kulai N52 Senai Wong Bor Yang DAP
 Sabah P172 Kota Kinabalu N19 Likas Tan Lee Fatt DAP
N21 Luyang Phoong Jin Zhe DAP
P174 Penampang N25 Kapayan Jannie Lasimbang DAP
P186 Sandakan N56 Tanjong Papat Frankie Poon Ming Fung DAP
 Sarawak P195 Bandar Kuching N09 Padungan Chong Chieng Jen DAP
N10 Pending Violet Yong Wui Wui DAP
Total Kedah (1), Penang (19), Perak (18), Pahang (6), Selangor (15), Negeri Sembilan (11), Malacca (4), Johor (10), Sabah (4), Sarawak (2)

DAP state governments

State Leader type Member Party State Constituency
 Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow DAP Padang Kota
State Leader type Member Party State Constituency
 Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo DAP Datok Keramat

General election results

Election Total seats won Seats contested Total votes Share of votes Outcome of election Election leader
1964
(as PAP)
1 / 144
11 42,130 2.0% Increase1 seats; Opposition Lee Kuan Yew
1969
13 / 144
24 286,606 12.1% Increase12 seats; Opposition Goh Hock Guan
1974
9 / 144
46 387,845 18.3% Decrease4 seats; Opposition Lim Kit Siang
1978
16 / 154
53 664,433 19.1% Increase7 seats; Opposition Lim Kit Siang
1982
9 / 154
63 815,473 19.6% Decrease7 seats; Opposition Lim Kit Siang
1986
24 / 154
64 968,009 21.0% Increase15 seats; Opposition Lim Kit Siang
1990
20 / 180
57 985,228 17.13% Decrease4 seats; Opposition coalition
(Gagasan Rakyat)
Lim Kit Siang
1995
9 / 192
50 712,175 12.0% Decrease11 seats; Opposition coalition
(Gagasan Rakyat)
Lim Kit Siang
1999
10 / 193
47 830,870 12.53% Increase1 seats; Opposition coalition
(Barisan Alternatif)
Lim Kit Siang
2004
12 / 219
44 687,340 9.9% Increase2 seats; Opposition Kerk Kim Hock (Secretary-general)
Lim Kit Siang (Chairman, Central Policy
& Strategic Planning Commission)
2008
28 / 222
47 1,118,025 13.77% Increase16 seats; Opposition coalition
(Pakatan Rakyat)
Lim Guan Eng (Secretary-general)
Lim Kit Siang (Parliamentary Leader)
2013
38 / 222
51 1,736,601 15.71% Increase10 seats; Opposition coalition
(Pakatan Rakyat)
Lim Guan Eng (Secretary-general)
Lim Kit Siang (Parliamentary Leader)
2018
42 / 222
47 2,040,068 18.48% Increase4 seats; Governing coalition,
later Opposition coalition
(Pakatan Harapan)
Lim Guan Eng (Secretary-general)
Lim Kit Siang (Parliamentary Leader)
2022
40 / 222
55 2,422,577 15.61% Decrease2 seats; Governing Coalition
(Pakatan Harapan)
Lim Guan Eng (Chairman)
Anthony Loke (Secretary-general)

State election results

State election State Legislative Assembly
Perlis Kedah Kelantan Terengganu Penang Perak Pahang Selangor Negeri Sembilan Malacca Johor Sabah Sarawak Total won / Total contested
2/3 majority
2 / 3
2 / 3
2 / 3
2 / 3
2 / 3
2 / 3
2 / 3
2 / 3
2 / 3
2 / 3
2 / 3
2 / 3
2 / 3
1964
(as PAP)
0 / 12
0 / 24
0 / 30
0 / 24
0 / 24
0 / 40
0 / 24
0 / 28
0 / 24
0 / 20
0 / 32
0 / 15
1969
0 / 12
0 / 24
0 / 30
0 / 24
3 / 24
6 / 40
0 / 24
9 / 28
8 / 24
4 / 20
1 / 32
0 / 48
31 / 57
1974
0 / 12
1 / 26
0 / 36
0 / 28
2 / 27
11 / 42
0 / 32
1 / 33
3 / 24
4 / 20
1 / 32
0 / 48
23 / 120
1978
0 / 12
0 / 26
0 / 28
5 / 27
9 / 42
0 / 32
3 / 33
3 / 24
4 / 20
1 / 32
25 / 127
1979
0 / 48
0 / 11
1982
0 / 12
0 / 26
0 / 36
0 / 28
2 / 27
4 / 42
1 / 32
1 / 33
2 / 24
2 / 20
0 / 32
12 / 131
1983
0 / 48
0 / 7
1985
0 / 48
0 / 3
1986
0 / 14
0 / 28
0 / 39
0 / 32
10 / 33
13 / 46
1 / 33
5 / 42
4 / 28
3 / 20
1 / 36
0 / 48
37 / 118
1987
0 / 56
0 / 11
1990
0 / 14
1 / 28
0 / 39
0 / 32
14 / 33
13 / 46
1 / 33
6 / 42
4 / 28
3 / 20
3 / 36
0 / 48
45 / 94
1991
0 / 56
0 / 18
1994
0 / 48
0 / 2
1995
0 / 15
0 / 36
0 / 43
0 / 32
1 / 33
1 / 52
1 / 38
3 / 48
2 / 32
3 / 25
0 / 40
11 / 103
1996
3 / 62
3 / 6
1999
0 / 15
0 / 36
0 / 43
0 / 32
1 / 33
4 / 52
1 / 38
1 / 48
0 / 32
4 / 25
0 / 40
0 / 48
11 / 88
2001
1 / 62
1 / 13
2004
0 / 15
0 / 36
0 / 45
0 / 32
1 / 40
7 / 59
1 / 42
2 / 56
2 / 36
2 / 28
0 / 56
0 / 60
15 / 104
2006
6 / 71
6 / 12
2008
0 / 15
1 / 36
0 / 45
0 / 32
19 / 40
18 / 59
2 / 42
13 / 56
10 / 36
5 / 28
4 / 56
1 / 60
73 / 102
2011
12 / 71
12 / 15
2013
0 / 15
2 / 36
0 / 45
0 / 32
19 / 40
18 / 59
7 / 42
15 / 56
11 / 36
6 / 28
13 / 56
4 / 60
95 / 103
2016
7 / 82
7 / 31
2018
0 / 15
2 / 36
0 / 45
0 / 32
19 / 40
18 / 59
7 / 42
16 / 56
11 / 36
8 / 28
14 / 56
6 / 60
101 / 104
2020
6 / 73
6 / 7
2021
4 / 28
4 / 8
2021
2 / 82
2 / 26
2022
10 / 56
10 / 14
2022
0 / 15
18 / 59
6 / 42
24 / 30
2023
1 / 36
0 / 45
0 / 32
19 / 40
15 / 56
11 / 36
46 / 47

See also


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