The unity, solidarity and commitment of DAP and reaffirmation of the Middle Malaysia concept by the just-concluded 16th DAP National Congress in Penang have struck fear in UMNO-Barisan Nasional.
It jolted UMNO leaders including the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak into quick reaction, claiming that it was the BN and not the DAP that represents “Middle Malaysia”.
DAP welcomes competition from Najib and UMNO-BN to compete with DAP for the support of Middle Malaysia, but before they could stake the claim for support of Middle Malaysia, UMNO-BN must renounce the tactics and ideology of extremist politics including Ketuanan Melayu (Malay Supremacy) and the four types of hate politics of race, religion, lies and fear.
I agree that the failure at the 16th DAP National Congress to elect Malay candidates to the 20-seat CEC is a setback to the DAP cause to represent all Malaysians. This is however not because the DAP is anti-Malay or anti-Islam.
The DAP had right from the beginning of DAP’s formation in nearly 47 years ago in 1966 committed itself to be a party for all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or region.
DAP’s Malay candidates
This is borne out by the history of DAP’s first general elections in 1969 where DAP fielded Malay candidates for both parliamentary and state assembly seats – getting two Malay candidates elected as state assemblymen in Perak and Negri Sembilan.
Over the decades, DAP had held firm to our multi-racial commitment and fielded Malay candidates for both parliamentary and state assembly seats, with several Malay leaders elected as State Assemblymen and the late Sdr. Ahmad Nor elected as MP for Bayan Baru in Penang.
It has always been an uphill task for the DAP to reach out to the Malays, with the UMNO and its mainstream media carrying out a sustained campaign to poison the minds of the Malays and demonise the DAP as anti-Malay and anti-Islam.
DAP is not, will not be and has never been anti-Malay or anti-Islam. This is why the new DAP CEC has taken immediate action to co-opt and appoint Senator Dr. Ariffin Omar as DAP National Vice Chairman and Zairil Khir Johari as Deputy Publicity Secretary.
Which BN party has Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan and Iban members in their central committees? There is none. This shows that DAP is more inclusive than anyone of the 13 BN component parties, including UMNO.
More Malay support for DAP
Over the decades, more and more Malays have realised that what the UMNO propaganda mills have churned out against the DAP, that it is an anti-Malay and anti-Islam party, are pure lies and falsehoods.
As a result, DAP is getting increasing Malay support not only from ordinary Malays, but also Malay voters. This is what is frightening UMNO-BN.
We will continue to improve ourselves and learn from our weakness and setbacks
to ensure that DAP can more effectively and successfully represent the interests of all Malaysians, whether Malays, Chinese, Indians, Orang Asli, Kadazans or Ibans.
This is why the DAP made history as the first pan-Malaysian political party, with branches and political activities not only in all the states in Peninsular Malaysia but also in Sarawak and Sabah.
The 16th DAP National Congress is testimony of DAP’s unbowed commitment to grow, develop and expand as an inclusive Malaysian party representing all Malaysians, whether Malays, Chinese, Indians, Orang Asli, Kadazans or Ibans; whether Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs or Taoists; and whether in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah or Sarawak for a Middle Malaysia.
If Pakatan Rakyat succeeds in the “100 Days to Putrajaya” campaign and forms the next Federal government, say with 125 parliamentary seats (PKR 45, DAP 40 and PAS 40), the stage will be set for the fruition of a Middle Malaysia. – The Rocket
