From Kit Siang’s philosophy to Loke’s approach – DAP at 60

2026-03-18 - 11:02

From Chan Foong Hin DAP marks its 60th anniversary today. Looking back, our journey from being a “permanent opposition party” to becoming part of the federal government is no small feat. In the party’s early years, Lim Kit Siang stood as the first generation’s defining figure. In an era without social media, he consistently articulated ideas, shaped direction, and laid the party’s ideological foundations through countless statements and writings. To me, this went beyond political expression. It was the construction of a coherent value system that came to be known as the “Lim Kit Siang philosophy”. As an opposition party then, we did not wield executive power. Our role was to serve as a check and balance on the government through ideas and public discourse. The turning point came with the 2008 political tsunami. For the first time, we had the opportunity to govern at the state level. This marked a fundamental shift. We moved from speaking about ideals to governing in practice. Principles were no longer confined to statements. They had to be translated into policies, institutions, and real outcomes. When Lim Guan Eng became Penang chief minister, the CAT principles of competency, accountability and transparency offered a new model of governance. Even policies that appeared simple, such as financial assistance for senior citizens, were carefully explained and consistently communicated. The public not only listened but also engaged. As the years progressed, the political landscape grew increasingly complex. Following the 2022 general election, the formation of the unity government introduced a more intricate multi-party governing structure. In such an environment, ideals and slogans alone are no longer sufficient. We must engage reality with discipline and pragmatism. It is within this context that I see a distinct governing style emerging under the third generation of leadership, represented by Loke Siew Fook. If Kit Siang’s era was defined by rigorous writing and ideological articulation, the approach under Loke is defined by doing more and saying less. Rather than relying on lengthy theoretical explanations, it focuses on translating ideas into action step by step, policy by policy. What I describe as the “Loke Siew Fook approach” is grounded in gradual and deliberate implementation. In areas such as transport policy, measures may appear modest on the surface, yet they embody deeper social democratic principles. They may not be dramatic or headline grabbing, but they deliver tangible improvements to people’s daily lives. I must be candid. This style of governance does not carry the same emotional intensity that once defined reformist rhetoric. In the past, calls for systemic change could ignite strong public response. Today, even when reforms are implemented, public reaction can be measured and sometimes indifferent. But this is the reality of governing. Moving from inspiring ideas to institutional delivery often feels less exciting from the outside. Real change requires patience, coordination, and compromise. To me, the transition from Kit Siang’s philosophy to Loke’s approach does not represent a change in ideals. It represents a shift in how those ideals are realised. Our core values such as “A Malaysian Malaysia” and “Malaysians First” remain unchanged. What has evolved is our method. We have moved from articulation to execution; from opposition to responsibility. With governance comes new pressures. At times, we may be doing the right thing without immediate public approval. This can create unease, even among party members, about facing criticism in everyday settings like kopitiams. This mindset must be recalibrated. As DAP members, we must remain clear about what we are doing and why we are doing it, rather than being swayed by short term sentiment. Today, DAP is no longer solely defined by its past role in the opposition. It is now part of the governing system. As expectations rise, so too must our resolve. We must demonstrate that our ideals are not only worth defending, but are also deliverable in practice. As we mark 60 years, I believe this journey from thought to implementation is not just our path forward. It is our responsibility. Chan Foong Hin is DAP’s policy director and also deputy chairman of the party’s Sabah chapter. He is also the Kota Kinabalu MP and deputy agriculture and food security minister. The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.