Muhyiddin’s ex-political aide Marzuki: Malays can’t expect DAP to champion their fate, interest

EVEN If DAP positions itself to be a multi-racial party, it is impossible not to harp on racism when mentioning the party given the basis and principle of its struggle rests on race.

To prove his point, pro-opposition political scientist Datuk Dr Marzuki Mohamad highlighted the Setapak Declaration 1967 – deemed the ideological basis of DAP’s struggle – which rejected the existence of Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera.

“True to its belief that every Malaysian must be treated equally. DAP opposes the New Economic Policy (DEB) which accords special privileges to the Malay and Bumiputera communities, ” the former principal private secretary to former prime minister (PM) Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin penned on his Facebook page.

“The Setapak Declaration underlies DAP’s ideology and policy as a political party. It came to being when DAP was still in the opposition.

“When DAP is in the government, of course it will try to implement policies and ideology that are aligned to its struggle. Otherwise, DAP will be seen by its supporters as betraying its own struggle.”

Datuk Dr Marzuki Mohamad (right) with Bersatu president and Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (Image credit: Marzuki Mohamad/Facebook)

Against such backdrop, Marzuki contended that it will be futile for the Malays to expect DAP to champion the fate and interests of the Bumiputera community.

“Of course not because that is against the policy and ideology of the party,” justified the Bersatu member in response to a question posed by a netizen as to why Perikatan Nasional (PN) has to resort to racial sentiments when attacking DAP.

“So, is PN a racist when it criticises DAP’s stance on the position of Bumiputera? Nope. It’s not racism. It’s merely a statement about party policy that voters must know. This is because in the end of the day, it’s the voters who will make the choice at the ballot box.

“It’s up to the Malays to consider this matter. They can support DAP if they think they no longer need a party to fight for the interests of the Malays and Bumiputera.”

Deliberating on whether there is a need to amend the Federal Constitution in the quest to realise DAP’s ideals, Marzuki reckoned that this is not necessary as “what needs to be changed is the policy implemented by the government controlled by the ruling party”.

“For example, lifting of the university admission quota for Bumiputera students should not be implemented. Or reducing the scholarship quota for Bumiputera students. Or changing the national language policy by including elements of multi-lingualism in schools, in government offices, on road signs and in official government functions.

“All this can be done without having to amend or repeal Article 153 and Article 152 of the Federal Constitution. What is important is the power of the government. When a party controls the government, the policy of the party will be the policy of the government.”

Therefore, is DAP wrong to pursue its struggle?

“Nope. It’s not the fault of the party to realise its struggle. What has likely happened is that the voters haver erred because they lack understanding of the party’s principle of struggle,” opined Marzuki.

“I think every voter should evaluate the principles of a political party before making a choice at the ballot box.” – Focus Malaysia