Syerleena: Better to be a DAP lapdog than be one to a party that only knows how to fan 3R sentiments

 

SUCH is the stance of first-term Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid upon looking back at her decade long stint as a DAP member.

In a recent TikTok video accessible on her X account, the former Seri Delima state assemblywoman (2018-2023) prior to contesting in the Bukit Bendera parliamentary constituency in the 15th General Election (GE15) shared about the incessant mocking of Malay DAP representatives by the opposition faction.

“Although there are groups which don’t appreciate and have continuously insulted us day and night, we don’t bear a grudge because such bitterness is part and parcel of the tough life endured by a leader.

“I’m fine if you want to call me a barua (lapdog) to a party that is truly concerned of finding solutions to issues faced by the rakyat rather than to be a barua to a party that only knows how to fan 3R (race, religion, royalty) sentiments instead of speaking intellectually on pending issues.

“If they don’t play up 3R issues, they’ll harp on vulgarity or pass sexist remarks on (female) MPs.”

This is when controversial blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris who is better known as Papagomo hurled brickbats at the 44-year-old DAP lawmaker.

“You can continue to be a puppet in DAP because DAP needs some kind of puppet like you so that Malays, especially the young generation, can believe in the DAP as a multi-racial party.

“DAP originated from Singapore’s PAP (People’s Action Party). Young Malays of today aren’t stupid in politics.”

But aside from Papagomo, many netizens tended to rally around Syerleena who debuted as a DAP member in 2013 following which she was appointed as the Penang Island City Council councillor in January 2015.

Below are some samples of the comments:

The bottom line is Penang-born Syerleena is unperturbed by the unfounded criticism levelled at her as a Malay leader in DAP.

“I shall remain with DAP and will rope in even more young Malays to join me in our quest to help needy Malaysians,” she added. – Focus Malaysia