The choice to field a young Malay woman, Dyana Sofya as DAP’s candidate in the Teluk Intan by-election caught many by surprise. Political commentators hailed it as a radical move aiming to close the gap on the prevalent racial politics that is fast losing its grip on the nation.

“We are against race-based politics. I am here to send a message that it is no longer relevant. From the wave that we are getting now, it is also obvious that Malaysians are also against racial politics,” Dyana told us when met at the Operations Center in Teluk Intan.

It is not without precedent for DAP to choose a non-Chinese candidate in a semi-urban mixed-race seat. The party had previously fielded Manogaran and M. Kulasegaran (in 2008 and 1995 respectively) in the same seat of Teluk Intan, with both candidates winning in spite of the demographics.

In fact, DAP has successfully fielded other non-Chinese candidates in Chinese majority seats such as Gobind Singh Deo in Puchong and Charles Santiago in Klang.

To take such a risk in a crucial by-election preceded by several national game-changers that have put Pakatan Rakyat in jeopardy is testament to the opposition pact’s commitment to its non-racial approach.

To unite a nation divided by race

DAP Parliamentary Leader Lim Kit Siang says that this by-election is about more than just sending Dyana into parliament. He frames it as a battle to break the racial barrier, a crucial tenet for DAP that has always stood for a Malaysia where everyone regards themselves as Malaysians first.

“This by-election is very important. It is a contest between the politics of Malaysianalism versus race, new versus old ways.

“We must create a new paradigm in Malaysian politics, otherwise we will continue to be divided by race,” Lim says.

PKR and PAS leaders have also lauded this battle cry, calling it a brave and exceptional move.

UMNO and BN on the other hand have gone into attacking overdrive, with even party heavyweights like Tun Dr Mahathir weighing in to damage Dyana’s credibility. A smear campaign was ongoing throughout the campaign period to attack the character of the candidate with fake photographs.

Pakatan was forced to beef up security after youths heckled Dyana in a pasar malam event and also obstructed the candidate when she was on house visits in an estate.

This begs the question, why is BN so threatened by a multiracial alternative coalition? Dyana believes this is because BN is afraid of the day when racial politics is no longer relevant, once the people find a credible alternative, BN’s days are numbered.

“Utusan attacks me because the message sent (by my candidacy) is very strong. That DAP is the true Malaysian party although they demonise us as a Chinese chauvinist party. By fielding me it changes the perception,” said the 27-year-old lawyer.

A new breed of politics

Pundits speculate that voters in a semi-urban area tend to vote along racial lines, not only because of racial prejudice but also because of the perception that it would be harder to communicate with a representative who is of a different cultural/ linguistic background.

When met during our team’s interviews during the campaign period, several Teluk Intan voters of different ages and ethnicities confided that race was not a factor they considered when voting for a candidate. They preferred to vote for a party that they trust will secure them a better future.

However, quite a number of Malay candidates expressed the sentiment that they would vote for the candidates’ race, proving that as much as Pakatan hopes to challenge the status quo, race still plays a factor in voters’ minds particularly in the rural heartland with lack of access to alternative information.

DAP and Pakatan is banking on spreading the message of new politics starting from Teluk Intan to send a strong signal that it is time to end racial politics.

“As a young nation with many young voters, Malaysia needs a new breed of politics to face the challenges of the future. “

“We respect the older generation and veterans. But the old politics of hatred is no longer acceptable. We want to provide a good option for the rakyat of Teluk Intan.” she says.

Dyana believes that an era of new politics is needed in Malaysia, to see an end to race-based politics.

“It is about breaking racial barriers, appreciating differences and celebrating diversity. It is about ideology and policies instead of the politics of fear and hatred.”

Will the voters back this? We will find out on Saturday as Teluk Intan goes to the polls.