DAP says always stood up for Malays

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal

January 29, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 — The DAP today denied accusations that it has never stood up for the rights of Malays, saying that it had consistently fought for the rights of all Malaysians regardless of race or religion.

“Right from the very beginning more than four decades ago, DAP leaders in and out of Parliament have fought for the oppressed and suppressed Malays just like other Malaysians whether of Chinese, Indian, Orang Asli, Kadazan and Iban descent, whether as workers, peasants, fishermen, smallholders.

Lim Kit Siang said in a statement today that from its formation in 1966, the party has portrayed itself as a “patriotic and multi-racial” Malaysian political movement. — file pic

“They are all entitled to justice, freedom and to be liberated from the tyranny of corruption, cronyism, undemocratic mis-governance and all forms of exploitation resulting in the denial of their human rights and democratic liberties,” Lim Kit Siang said in a statement here.

The DAP parliamentary leader stressed that from the very moment of its formation in 1966, the party has portrayed itself as a “patriotic and multi-racial” Malaysian political movement dedicated to the cause of all Malaysians.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had questioned DAP’s sudden influx of new, prominent Malay members and accused the party of tricking the Malay community to gain voter support.

In response, Kit Siang said today that Muhyiddin’s remarks were “racist, extremist and panicky” and that he had failed to behave like a moderate leader who espoused the spirit of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1 Malaysia concept.

“Muhyiddin cannot be more wrong, which is a terrible reflection of his racist and extremist mentality and outlook.

“Malays have joined DAP, not just recently, but from the very beginning of the party’s history with DAP fielding Malay candidates whether for parliamentary or state assembly seats since our first general election participation in 1969,” added the Ipoh Timor MP.

Zairil Khir Johari cited the Penang government’s move to increase the state allocation for Islamic affairs to RM64 million this year. — file pic

Kit Siang has predicted that the Malay influx into DAP is set to continue, following the membership of Malay opinion leaders like former Utusan Malaysia journalist Hata Wahari and Umno bloggers Mohd Arif Sabri and Aspan Alias who recently announced their loyalty to the predominantly Chinese-dominated party.

Another DAP leader, Zairil Khir Johari, pointed out how DAP secretary-general and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng risked going to jail just so that he could defend the rights of a young Malay girl who was sexually molested by a “leader from Umno.”

Zairil, who is Guan Eng’s political secretary, said that DAP and Pakatan Rakyat have proven themselves in addressing the needs of the Malay community, and cited the Penang government’s move to increase the state allocation for Islamic affairs from RM12 million from previous years to RM64 million this year.

“This large allocation encapsulates all efforts for the extension of Muslim burial sites, the development of religious schools, allowances for mosque officers and religious teachers as well as programmes for Islamic celebrations. Does this not help the Muslim community who are mainly Malays?” asked the young DAP leader.

He also said that Penang’s open tender system had resulted in Malay contractors winning more than 70 per cent of the state’s tenders.

“They did this legitimately without aid or political pressure. If Umno leaders feel that Malays in Penang have been neglected and left behind, is this not the fault of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government which has ruled for more than 50 years in Penang?” added Zairil.