In the last general elections DAP managed to win all the seats it contested in Perak. However the euphoria tapered down with the failure of Pakatan Rakyat to retake the Perak state government. Kampar MP Ko Chung Sen offers his take on how to move forward in winning the state and the next general elections. 

In the 2013 general elections Pakatan Rakyat received the majority of the popular votes but not the seats in Perak. Why? Ko opines that one of the reasons was due to the gerrymandering of the seats where the rural voters were given disproportionate weightage vis-à-vis the urban seats. 

Another reason was BN had concentrated their resources on selected seats and worked hard there, winning just enough marginal seats needed to keep the state government. “The elections is like a war and chess game; the BN’s strategy had been more successful in keeping those seats.” 

He admits that PR and DAP’s campaign had been high-profiled. “Our ceramahs turnout had numbered in the tens of thousands, which may have given the misleading signal that we had already won it. We need to concentrate on the marginal seats and win over the rural Malays.” 

Winning the Malays

Did DAP’s prominence in the Pakatan Rakyat campaign frightened or turned off the Malays? Ko believes that UMNO’s tactic in scaring the Malays didn’t work anymore, especially on the urban Malays. 

“In our campaigns with other PR party members, we were pleasantly surprised by the friendly response we received from the Malays. Thanks to UMNO’s abuse of power in Perak it has fostered camaraderie amongst the opposition supporters here. Scenes such as Malays wrapping themselves with the DAP flag, unthinkable before 2008, were regular even in the kampongs.” 

“Even in the hospital where I worked many Malays have walked up to me and professed their support. They realised that the biggest problem we have in this country is corruption.” 

On winning the Malays, Ko says that DAP need to work more effectively with PAS and PKR members to approach the Malays. Also he says that PR needs to engage and attract the young Malays more effectively with the new media, social and alternative. 

“With the older Malay voters it may be harder to change their mindsets to support the opposition parties; this is true even if their children may be pro-opposition. Perhaps with continuous work on these older voters we can let them realise that they are voting for the future generations.”

“I make the effort to attend my area Malay residents’ events such as weddings, kenduris and gatherings. Often the Malays appreciate their YBs to have face to face contact with them in person regularly. The personal touch is important for them.”

DAP’s challenges

What does he think about the challenges facing DAP? “DAP comes across as too Chinese to many people. The party leadership have made the effort to bring in more non-Chinese figures onboard as party leaders.” 

“Our biggest challenge is to attract more Malay membership and potential leaders. In this part both PAS and PKR too are also eyeing the same. I am glad that the party was able to attract young and calibre Malay figures such as Zairil Khir Johari (Bukit Bendera MP) and Dyana Sofya (political secretary to Lim Kit Siang) to join the party.” 

“I have been telling the people that DAP needs to change or it will run the risk of becoming another MCA. We need to be more proactive in attracting the Malays to join the party, especially in the urban areas. It’s not an uphill task. In my hospital I have been approached by several Malays who want to join the party.”

“Also where it is possible, the talented Malays should be promoted to party posts that can give the confidence to the Malays that they belong in this party. After a trickle it will become a flood. Pretty soon DAP would really be seen as a multiracial party and can counter the BN’s lies and demonization effectively.” 

“In my circle of contacts I have also recommended several Malays to join DAP as well. I often tell them that DAP belongs to the Malays too as we are a party that represents all Malaysians.” 

Ko says that DAP should continue to focus on the common theme and social issues such as fighting corruption, fairness and justice for all. “PAS will focus on the religious aspect and that’s fine for them, but it’s not DAP’s call. We are a social democratic party, and issues related to that orientation should continue to be our focus.” -The Rocket