Guan Eng on why people see DAP as a Chinese party

 

PETALING JAYA: The DAP is seen as a Chinese-based party because many still view political matters through racial lenses, says its secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

In an exclusive interview with FMT, Lim said questions relating to the racial composition of the party and the lack of Malay members would not arise if everyone saw themselves as Malaysians first.

“Such questions have always been addressed to the DAP, but this is not asked of parties that are exclusively Malay or Muslim,” said Lim, who is in his final term as secretary-general.

He said the DAP would continue striving towards “enriching, empowering and enabling” every Malaysian, regardless of race and religion so as to create a united Malaysian consciousness, even though this would be a tough act.

“Unless you keep that flame of hope burning, I think Malaysia will be categorised and divided into Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban, Kadazan. When can we be united?”

He said further political efforts to segregate the people into racial groups would cause the country to fall behind its Asean counterparts in terms of economic and technological advancement.

He added that it was “unfortunate” that certain right-wing parties were increasingly pushing their “religious extremism” onto the people.

Regarding the current political instability, Lim reiterated that his party was against working with kleptocrats but that it was open to cooperating with like-minded individuals who put the people first.

With his final term as DAP secretary-general nearing its end, Lim said he would leave it to party members to decide what role he would play after this.

“We have a three-term limit (for the post) and it’s because of this requirement that I’ll be passing the baton (at the next DAP national conference).

“But whether I will continue to be part of the leadership, I think this is ultimately a question that will be decided by the members,” he said. The national conference is expected to be held later this year.

There has been speculation that he will become chairman in a bid to keep his grip on the party. - FMT