The DAP dilemma

It is early morning in Batu Ferringhi with grey skies and dark clouds in the surrounding areas. What do I write on a day like this? Let me talk about the paucity of ideas within the Opposition group when they talk about Malays.

The most vociferous member of the group – DAP – is an example of a major political party that pretends to understand Malays generally and to have answers to all their problems.

In fact, the DAP has none. Zairil Khir Johari is the bright Malay star of the DAP and the Opposition, and yet the best he can offer is what others have offered before: attack former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his book The Malay Dilemma and for his policies.

Taking a swipe at the book, Zairil suggests that Dr Mahathir suffers from an inferiority complex similar to the Redshirts. Zairil obviously does not understand our history well; nor has he lived long enough amongst Malays to avoid simplifying everything into a simple category, namely, that Malays behave like a hegemonic majority and yet suffer from an inferiority complex when asking for more from the Government.

Zairil blames Dr Mahathir for cultivating this behaviour and he blames Malays for not knowing any better. I am not saying I understand Malays completely, but surely you cannot blame the behaviour, cultural values, political understanding and characteristics of the entire Malay community on one man – Dr Mahathir?

Zairil is probably an upper-class Penang Malay, but he is young. He is mistaken if he thinks that he or the DAP will endear themselves to Malays by attacking or criticising Dr Mahathir. It would be better for the DAP to focus on what it will do on the economic front if the party comes to power.

Dr Mahathir has left the Government for 13 years now and we cannot continue blaming him for everything that’s wrong with the country. We must start anew and show what policies we will implement for the people. That would be a better way to gain Malay support.

For example, what will the DAP do with federal agencies such as MARA, FELDA, RISDA and FELCRA? What policy changes will the DAP make to help Malays become better and stronger as a community so they will not suffer from Dr Mahathir’s “inferiority complex”?

What will the DAP do with the allegedly persistent Bumiputera quotas in public universities despite their formal abolition in 2002? What will the DAP do with Government-linked companies that are predominantly Malay? How many non-Malays will the DAP recruit into the civil service, the police and the armed forces so that Malays will grow stronger and more competitive unlike the “weaker types” left by Dr Mahathir’s legacy?

Will the DAP tell Malaysians that Islam and Shariah law will be confined to the realm of personal and family law (consistent with the party’s secular leanings) or will it go along with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and say that Islam is a way of life and therefore must be part of public policy?

The Opposition must not assume that just because it is united in its choice of Prime Minister, voters will ignore its lack of credible policy initiatives in the coming General Election.

The Opposition as a whole should certainly start working on its policies now—and it has two years to the next General Election—but it can only do this if it abandons its preoccupation with Dr Mahathir. -zaid.my