Not DAP’s fault, Kok says on low Chinese turnout in Sungai Bakap

“What can we do? We can’t enter the villages and are driven away. They want us to stay low-profile, so we comply as a sign of respect for our coalition partners”

(FMT) – DAP vice-chairman Teresa Kok defends the party against claims that it failed to approach Chinese voters ahead of the recent by-election.

DAP vice-chairman Teresa Kok has defended the party against allegations of failing to approach Chinese voters, resulting in a low turnout from the community during the recent by-election for the Sungai Bakap state seat.

She told Utusan Malaysia in an interview that in “certain by-elections”, DAP’s allies had asked the party not to hold rallies or be “too prominent”.

“Because when we do, a lot of people show up,” she said.

Referring to the Sungai Bakap by-election, which saw only 47% of the Chinese electorate turning out to vote, the Seputeh MP said “it wasn’t our fault”.

“What can we do? We can’t enter the villages and are driven away. They want us to stay low-profile, so we comply as a sign of respect for our coalition partners,” she said.

She also cited the example of the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, where she said DAP was asked not to hold large-scale rallies.

“Even though there were Malay DAP representatives like (Bangi MP) Syahredzan Johan campaigning, we could have done more but were advised to stay low-profile to win, as the Malays there do not favor us,” she said.

Last Sunday, FMT reported that Umno veterans had questioned the failure to persuade the Chinese electorate to cast their ballots in the Sungai Bakap by-election, but stopped short of blaming DAP.

The secretary of the Umno veterans’ club, Mustapha Yaakub, said “something is not right”. He also said the club had been told that DAP leaders had failed to approach the Chinese voters.

Some Chinese voters were not even aware that a by-election was being held, while others admitted that they refused to cast their ballots without a reason to vote, he said.

Mustapha also said “something does not sit right” about the news that guests at a dinner attended by DAP’s Lim Lip Eng applauded when he announced that Pakatan Harapan (PH) had lost the by-election.

Fewer DAP ministers, but ‘always at fault’

Kok also said that DAP MPs held fewer positions in the Cabinet to avoid being targeted by the opposition, which claims that the government is dominated by the party.

“Despite this, they persist in criticising DAP. What more can we do? We have sacrificed for the country, yet the government is still attacked by racists with baseless accusations.

“Then there are Indians who are angry at DAP, saying we are silent. What can we do? MCA criticises DAP at every convention (MCA holds). This is not ideal as we are in the same government, but we (DAP) have to respond.

“If we give in too much, our supporters will become angry. We are caught in a difficult situation. No matter what, everything is DAP’s fault,” she said.

Kok also played down claims that PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli’s “outspokenness” had cost PH victory in the Sungai Bakap seat, saying his statement was “taken out of context”.

“He did not intend to belittle the voters, but it was interpreted that way. I believe there are many factors involved, not just Rafizi or water issues.”

She said there were other factors at play, including the fact that many voters lived outside Sungai Bakap, working in Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

“Returning home requires at least RM200 to RM300 for one vote. And we, as a political party, cannot pay for voters’ fares as this is prohibited by the Election Commission,” she said.