Johor DAP chairman backs down, says shares Kit Siang’s Malaysian Dream vision
Eileen Ng, TMI
Johor DAP chairman Dr Boo Cheng Hau appears to have backed down from his earlier remarks on the Malaysian Dream Movement after coming under fire from party comrades.
Stressing that he shared party adviser Lim Kit Siang’s vision of the movement, which is to stamp out racism and bigotry, Dr Boo said he was under the impression that Malaysian Dream was a form of declaration.
However, when it was later translated into various forms of activity, he felt the execution needed more input and coordination at various party levels to make it a bigger success.
He said since the movement is meant to focus on rural folks in the context of West Malaysia, cultural sensitivity is important to endear the Malaysian Dream to them.
“I believe cultural sensitivity should be cultivated among youngsters, including DAP members, and more deliberations and discussions should be encouraged in order to promote the Malaysian Dream Movement effectively at all levels of the party,” he said in a statement today. He added that cultural traits should not be ignored and feedback should be gathered from the grassroots to attract more voters.
DAP publicity chief Tony Pua had slammed Dr Boo for his earlier comments on the movement, describing it as “irresponsible” and “unfounded’.
Dr Boo had reportedly said on Friday the Malaysian Dream Movement did not have the approval of DAP’s central executive committee.
He also allegedly said certain figures had been given unchecked authority to raise funds using DAP resources and carry out activities which usurped the powers of other party organs.
Pua had said the Malaysian Dream was not mere rhetoric, as it spawned the “Impian Sarawak” campaign which was launched to urge all Malaysians to be agents of change and to bridge the divide between east and west Malaysia.
In defending his remarks on Impian Sarawak, Dr Boo said he did not raise any objections to the campaign due to the uncertainty of the party’s central executive committee position when the Registrar of Societies directed the party to hold fresh internal polls.
He also said he did not give any opinion as Impian Sarawak is under the jurisdiction of the Sarawak DAP committee.
