Why is DAP so unpopular with Malays?
After years of campaigning for a Malaysian Malaysia, they now say they will preserve the special position of Malays. But what the hell does that mean really?
Sebastian Loh, Malaysia Impact
Malays are not into DAP. That’s not just the conventional assumption. One survey of Selangor Malays found that 72 percent believed that DAP is a race-based party that’s only looking out for the Chinese community. Ouch.
DAP leaders tell a different story: their Malay outreach efforts are making tremendous progress (say ‘tremendous’ the way Donald Trump would). They point to the influx of new Malay members. But in this case, ‘influx’ is a vastly exaggerated term.
Every time the party signs up a Malay member, DAP leaders erupt in jubilation. A press conference is thrown, enabling party officials pat themselves on the back and declare victory. You would think the party won the Nobel Peace Prize or something. The whole gaudy affair can be summed up this way: Omg, you guys, have you met our new Malay friend? Told you we weren’t racist. Malays love us. YAY! <3 #MalaysianMalaysia
Of course, if that were true, would DAP need to welcome each new Malay member with a press conference? That’s akin to me calling a presser each time I get a new girlfriend. It would speak very, very poorly about my love life. Similarly, the effusive self-congratulation within DAP belies the party’s continuing inability to connect with Malays. And why should anyone be surprised?
DAP leaders have repeatedly shown that they do not care about the plight of ordinary Malays. After years of campaigning for a Malaysian Malaysia, they now say they will preserve the special position of Malays. But what the hell does that mean really?
How often have DAP leaders talked about job and educational opportunities for Malays? How often have they talked about the inequality, discrimination, and poverty afflicting Malays? How often have they talked about improving hallowed bumiputera institutions like Mara, Felda, Felcra, and Risda?
Instead, DAP has preferred to engage in extended skirmishes with MCA over – you guessed it – funding for Chinese schools and hudud. DAP has done a wonderful, spectacular, bang-up job in proving that it only cares about Chinese people. I dare say this accomplishment could use a press conference or two.
Also, recall the words of popular DAP speaker “Superman” Hew Kuan Yau. In the run-up to last year’s Sarawak state election, Hew reportedly urged a crowd to vote for a Malay DAP candidate so he could “screw the Malays, the big corrupt politicians, screw pok kai Parti Bersatu Bumiputera (PBB)”.
