DAP needs to be more multi-racial

Stephen Ng, Malay Mail Online

While it is true that most race-based politics is played up by one particular party, DAP, as a political organisation, needs to be more multi-racial in order for the party to lead Malaysia into the new era.

While much of our negative perception of Malays have been caused by Malay supremacists such as Mahathir Mohamad, and other extremist groups linked to Umno Baru, who continue to go along the fitnah line of politics, for many of us, we have realised there is a different ‘brand’ of Malays found in PAS, especially those who are either pious, progressive or in touch with the reality of modern world, in the likes of people like Nizar Jamaluddin (former Mentri Besar of Perak), Mat Sabu and even Nik Aziz Nik Mat.

Now, DAP has one candidate who represents the younger generation of Malays, who understand that they have grown up in a multi-racial and multi-religious society where progress can only be achieved by encouraging the Malays, to work hard and compete with the other races (and the rest of the world), instead of depending on their crutches.

With globalisation, the weaknesses of a certain segment of the Malay community have become even more obvious because of their lack of competitiveness. Even some of our national leaders lack a good command of the English language, which makes them unable to take questions fielded by international journalists as seen from the recent MH370 fiasco.

Instead of taking on the world, those who are closely linked to the ruling parties will continue to become economic leeches, but those without the political link be sidelined. What, as a Chinese, I like to see is for more Malays to look beyond the UMNO scope of what it means to be a Malay; instead, they should build up their own competitiveness in a global economy. This is where they should also consider joining political organisations that are multi-racial and multi-religious, rather than the traditionally race-based parties.

Besides Umno, it is unfortunate that the other component parties within BN are still very much race-based, and Malays, for example, cannot join MCA or MIC as members. However, there is also Gerakan, but unless Gerakan rejuvenates itself beyond former president, Koh Tsu Koon, there is very little hope for Gerakan, being a small party, to introduce CHANGE to the BN ruling party which is largely dominated by Umno. Its young leaders are hardly worth the salt, judging from the way they speak or the things that they say.

I am not a DAP member, but it appears to me that the DAP has its ideals that fit into the vision of most young Malays like Dyana Sofya who, despite being Malay and young, has been picked to represent the party in the coming by-election in a largely Chinese constituency as Teluk Intan, when her opponent is Chinese and much older.

Since 2008, the DAP has done well by raising a new echelon of young leaders when people like YB Hannah Yeoh joined the DAP and became the State Assembly Speaker of Selangor. Others who have come into the picture are Yeoh Bee Yin, another Chinese elected representative in the Selangor State Assembly, but for the DAP to represent the Malaysian fabrics of society, it can either continue working within the Pakatan framework or attract more young but principled Malay youths like Dyana Sofya.

With more people like Dyana, this will give no reason for Umno to bark at the DAP for being chauvinistic. Instead of fielding another Chinese candidate for the Teluk Intan by-election, it has picked another Malay and lady to represent the party.

Former Minister of Women Affairs, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil should be happy that instead of an old man, the DAP has fielded a woman, and present Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who promotes his “Malay first” stance, should clap his hands for yet a Malay candidate being picked for a parliamentary constituency.

We have seen how Mah Siew Keong in parliament seating, but as fellow Malaysians, we are waiting to see how Dyana would perform in parliament.

Democracy is for everyone, irrespective of race or religion. It is for the old and a passing generation, but much more for the younger generation.

Therefore, as a Chinese, if I were to vote in Teluk Intan this coming by-election, I would vote for Dyana Sofya to send another blow to Umno, especially its affiliates for playing up racial and religious sentiments and using political intimidation against the people. Enough is enough!