Is DAP Chauvinist political chameleon party?

In the midst of talking about the historic day when Teng Chang Khim, the Sungai Pinang assemblyman from the DAP sworn in as the first non-Malay and new Speaker of the Selangor State Assembly, I know that I'm dealing with sensitive feelings. But Teng looked happy and proud in full Speaker regalia, complete with songkok.

Much attention has been focused on whether Teng Chang Khim would wear the Songkok (headgear) and the ceremonial robe after taking the oath of office. Well, he did. It is certainly be the extent of slack in and against his political principal in the issue he was championing before.

Ironically, the DAP’s stand against the wearing of the songkok, even for official functions and when it is part of official attire, is well known.

During the 3 terms as the opposition, he refused to wear the songkok, even turning down invitations which required him to wear the traditional Malay headgear. In fact all DAP reps whether in Parliament or State Assembly had previously refused to wear songkok but wear western suits instead. As DAP leaders had the option not to attend any official function which required the songkok to be worn as part of the dress code had been a DAP policy.

Previously, when MCA leaders wore the songkok at official functions or during an audience with royalty, DAP criticized them, saying we had turned our backs on our culture as the songkok was not part of our traditional wear.

MCA tried to explain that we wore it out of respect and because it was the culture of our hosts, but the explanations were pushed aside.

The issue of the songkok and the wearing of it are being exploited by DAP and became one of the Chinese society politically sensitive issues. These sensitive issues are often very difficult to address but more often than not were using by chauvinist politicians to gain popularity.

In the DAP’s case, it took advantage of a crisis to prove a political chameleon that changes colours to suit its political surroundings, despite reinforced the image of a sinister character, untrustworthy and unprincipled. Principal will exceed predictions and DAP clearly position it as “a bread and butter politician".

Was it fair to say that Teng Chang Khim, like any populist politicians have begun adopting populist rhetoric and took advantage of a crisis to prove himself “as a bread and butter politician”? After all, he looks quite good in a songkok.