KUALA LUMPUR: The exit of more than 100 DAP members in Penang is a sign that the political dynasty of party supremo Lim Kit Siang is crumbling, state Umno leader said today.
Penang Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman said the exodus clearly shows that the rank-and-files of DAP are severely disillusioned with the top party leadership.
He noted that when a political party has the luxury to operate with complacency and has plenty of time for nasty politicking, it loses the people.
Having lost touch with the people, DAP, being a party that loves itself too much will inevitably suffer a demise, he said.
"This may well signify the beginning of the end of the Lim dynasty as a bleak outlook looms for them.
"It's about time too, as the DAP government in Penang had done more than harm than good for the state," he told reporters at the sidelines of the Umno annual general assembly in Putra World Trade Centre today.
Lim dynasty refers to the father-and-son brand of leadership by Lim and his son Guan Eng.
Zainal Abidin said it would not be surprising if more DAP members would follow suit in the months to come.
At the same time, he lambasted the other parties in Pakatan Harapan (PH) - PKR, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) and Parti Amanah Negara (PAN) - as no more than puppets under DAP.
He said it is very obvious that DAP are calling the shots, based on its own admission that DAP only need the three parties to deliver 20 to 30 per cent support from the Malay community.
On another note, the Penang Federal Action Council chairman lauded the resolution for the top two positions in Umno to be uncontested, which was unanimously adopted by party delegates.
He described it as far-sighted resolution which will prepare the party ahead of the 14th General Election (GE14).
Zainal Abidin dismissed critics that that the resolution was dictated by the top leadership in Umno.
He pointed out that all delegates at the general assembly had consented to it, a testament to how free and fair the party is.