KUALA LUMPUR – DAP could damage its own chances of reaching Malay voters in Johor with its treatment of Skudai assemblyperson Marina Ibrahim, one of the party’s most important Malay representatives, said former party leader Ronnie Liu.
The former Sungai Pelek rep said Marina’s exit was a major political setback for DAP and undermines years of work to strengthen its multiracial credentials and attract greater support from the Malay community.
Marina’s announcement that she would not defend Skudai and would quit politics, the subsequent revelation that Johor DAP had wanted to place her in another seat, Tiram, and the offer of a government-linked company (GLC) post if she lost — had reinforced negative perceptions among Malay voters and also civil society.
“The issue has evolved beyond a public relations problem and now poses a deeper challenge to DAP’s identity as a reformist and multiracial party,” Liu said on Facebook.
“The damage will be most acutely felt in Johor, where DAP has been trying to consolidate its gains and expand into new territories.”
According to Liu, many Malays could interpret the proposal for Marina to contest Tiram — widely regarded as a Barisan Nasional stronghold — as a political “suicide mission”, particularly when coupled with the prospect of a statutory body appointment.
“Malays see the offer to send Marina to a ‘suicide mission’ in Tiram while promising a statutory body position as a cynical use of a Malay leader for electoral expansion.
“It reinforces the narrative that DAP views Malay politicians as tools rather than genuine partners, driving away moderate Malay voters,” he said.
Marina, 38, announced her retirement from politics on May 31 after serving one term as the Skudai assemblyperson, saying the decision was reached following discussions with her team and a desire to move away from constant political confrontations.
A leaked letter purportedly penned by Marina to the state DAP leadership showed that the party had wanted her to move to Tiram, a Malay-majority seat in contrast to Chinese-majority Skudai, and would “compensate” her if she lost in Tiram with a GLC post.
Marina has not confirmed the authenticity of the letter that was circulated on WhatsApp and social media.
Johor DAP chairman Teo Nie Ching then issued a statement, saying the party had chosen an another seat for Marina and that she had been told beforehand that Skudai was meant to be a one-term assignment, with a longer-term plan to deploy her into non-traditional constituencies to expand the party’s reach.
Liu, however, argued that the episode risked damaging DAP’s Malay outreach efforts because Marina was one of only nine Malay DAP state assemblypersons nationwide and had been instrumental in projecting the party’s multiracial image.
He said DAP’s political opponents would likely capitalise on the controversy to intensify racial narratives and make it more difficult for the party to win support from swing Malay voters in mixed constituencies.
Beyond its electoral implications, Liu said the issue could also erode DAP’s credibility among civil society organisations that had supported the party during the “reformasi” era.
“DAP’s long-standing criticism of Barisan Nasional’s political appointments for loyalty now rings hollow, as civil society accuses the party of practising the same patronage politics.
“Civil society leaders may withdraw public endorsements, affecting DAP’s clean governance credibility,” he said.
In a separate Facebook post, Liu also questioned what he described as DAP’s “self-serving approach” of offering government-linked positions to unsuccessful election candidates.
“Perhaps Marina wanted no part in such arrangements. If so, her decision to leave quietly and honourably deserves respect.
“Many politicians find it extremely difficult to let go. They want to remain YBs for as long as possible.
“Marina appears to be different, and that is precisely why I feel compelled to speak up for her. DAP should seriously reflect on how it treats its younger and more promising leaders,” he said.
Liu, who left DAP in 2023, also claimed the controversy had affected internal party morale and could potentially trigger divisions within the Johor chapter at a critical stage of election preparations.
He alleged that Teo’s authority as Johor DAP chairman had been weakened by the episode, raising the prospect of internal distractions ahead of the polls.
His remarks come as Johor prepares for its 16th state election after Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced the dissolution of the state legislative assembly yesterday.
The Election Commission is to set the dates for nomination, early voting and polling within 60 days from the dissolution. – June 2, 2026