JOHOR BAHRU, 20 March — The struggle lives on — 47 years and counting. For the Democratic Action Party (DAP), nearly half a decade of endurance, with its fair share of challenges and obstacles, has only rendered the party stronger to continuously progress in championing a better Malaysia for all.
Emotions were high at the celebration of the party’s 47th anniversary here on 18 March, with members and supporters gathered together with party leaders, to mark DAP’s birthday in the state oft-lauded as the bastion of its strongest opponent, UMNO-BN.
47 years ago, such celebrations would be deemed unthinkable, but at the eve of an imminent change in the 13thGeneral Election, shown through a sea of high-spirited crowd and convinced party leaders, it is now possible.
Master of ceremonies Mazir Ibrahim, Kasthuri Patto and Marcus Saw put the number of attendees — seen packed to the brim at the vicinity of Skudai’s Sutera Mall — from 20,000 to 40,000-strong, suggesting that the “wind of change” is blowing amongst the people of Johor.
Saluting the anticipation of the people of southern state, DAP National Chairman, Karpal Singh urged in his speech that it is a “must” for Johor to dislodge UMNO and Barisan Nasional in the coming polls.
Addressing the crowd as “kawan-kawan (friends)”, Karpal reminded that under the administration of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) those who are corrupt and have cheated the people would never escape punishment.
“Mana boleh lari (You can’t run),” said the party veteran described as ‘the tiger of DAP’, to loud cheers from the attendees.
Political tornado
Earlier, DAP stalwarts took the stage, ushering in a joyous mood alongside representatives from its PR colleagues, PKR and PAS, strengthening the spirit of solidarity amongst the parties in the ruling coalition-in-waiting.
Present on stage were the DAP Life Advisor, Dr Chen Man Hin; National Chairman, Karpal Singh; Parliamentary Leader, Lim Kit Siang; Deputy Chairman, Tan Kok Wai; Vice Chairman, M Kulasegaran; National Treasurer, Fong Kui Lun; National Organising Secretary, Anthony Loke Siew Fook; Secretary-General, Lim Guan Eng; Deputy Secretary-General and Women Chief, Chong Eng and National Political Education Secretary, Liew Chin Tong.
Also present were Johor DAP Chairman, Dr Boo Cheng Hau, Johor DAP Director of Political Education Er Teck Hwa, and Perak DAP Deputy Chairman V Sivakumar, along other DAP leaders and elected representatives from Johor and all over the country.
Joining the DAP heavyweights were PAS Deputy President, Mohamad Sabu and the Opposition Leader and PKR de facto Leader, Anwar Ibrahim who later announced Lim Kit Siang’s candidacy for the parliamentary constituency of Gelang Patah.
Johor’s symbolic importance
Johor-born Lim Kit Siang, who appeared with glowing confidence throughout the event, later said that the DAP’s choice to celebrate its anniversary in Johor is symbolic to a “political tornado” that will “begin in the south, heading northwards”.
“The state of Johor is very important for Pakatan Rakyat. We want Johoreans to be the determinant for Pakatan Rakyat’s success,” Lim said, after stressing how crucial it was to heighten cooperation between Pakatan Rakyat parties.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Sabu complimented Penang’s efficient and accountable government led by the DAP’s Lim Guan Eng, highly-crediting the Chief Minister for its success.
“This is the example of the government we want. Do you want this kind of government?” Mohamad Sabu asked, to a roaring “Yes!” from the crowd.
Performances of Malay traditional dances ‘zapin’ and ‘kuda kepang’, ensemble of Chinese drums and Indian classical dances coloured the celebration, affirming DAP’s respect towards Malaysia’s rich heritage vested in its various communities. This is in line with the party’s cultural policies outlined together with PKR and PAS in the recently-launched People’s Manifesto.
The DAP was officially registered as a political party on 18 March 1966, marking the beginning of the party’s long and winding journey in its fight for social and economic justice for all Malaysians.
On 29 July 1967, the party held its first ever National Congress in Kuala Lumpur, foring the historic ‘Setapak Declaration’, emboldening the party’s deep-rooted commitment towards the ideals of a free and democratic Malaysia.
On its 47th anniversary, this commitment prevails. Happy birthday, Democratic Action Party. — The Rocket
Beware of last minute suicide attacks like what happened to Tengku Razaleigh in 1990. What’s to prevent the Gomen from virtually shutting down the internet say 2 days before election and then announcing through the MSM that DSAI, LGE and LKS are involved in a plot to turn Malaysia into a Christian state, complete with ‘witnesses’, videos and ‘documents’?! By the time the targeted voters get the truth from the internet, the election will be over and the targeted voters would have made their decision based on the emotions of the moment? Pakatan should brainstorm various scenarios of this type and prepare solutions.