“No way Syerleena gets accepted by her brethren even if she spends RM1b funding mosques n/wide”

 

ONE has to be in the shoe of Syerleena Abdul Rashid – one of three Malay DAP lawmakers – to understand the pain or frustration of having to confront her seemingly unappreciative brethren who incessantly label her as “kafir” (infidel) or “traitor of Islam”.

This is despite the Bukit Bendera MP having channelled more than RM1.2 mil towards religious activities – from the renovation of mosques to construction of surau in her constituency.

Sad and depressed, she expressed her feelings to a respected religious figure in the community who consoled her that “they’ll never accept you as a party outsider even if you allocate RM1 bil for all mosques and surau throughout the country.

“No matter how good you do for them, they’ll still not thank you let alone pray for you. But you’re lucky in one thing,” she penned in a Facebook post.

“All the deeds you’ve extended to fellow Muslims in your parliamentary constituency will be rewarded in the afterlife. God willing, your reward will be great, Syerleena.”

Alas, the 45-year-old former Seri Delima state assemblywoman who has ironically scored many brownie points among her non-Muslim electorate for regularly showing up at their houses of worships with monetary contributions has gathered strength to learn that this is part and parcel of her affiliation with DAP.

A mountain to climb to win Muslims’ heart

She has wised up to the fact that “DAP is anti-Malay” and “DAP is anti-Islam” are old narratives that keep repeating themselves.

“But the facts cannot be erased. Assistance to the Malay community and Islamic institutions continues to be implemented through various welfare, education and community development initiatives,” justified Syerleena in a more recent FB post.

“I believe the rakyat of today make judgment based on work and results, not sentiments played out. What matters is who’s there to help when needed (she has to-date  channelled RM3.3 mil in government allocation in the interest of the Malaty Muslim community since her election as MP in 2022).”

A quick glance at the comment section of her latest social media post proved that the religious figure was spot on that acceptance from fellow Muslims would be difficult to come by for the old pupil of Penang’s Convent Green Lane.

A seeming popular comment hit out at Syerleena that the allocation she mentioned is all part of the government coffers as opposed to coming from her own pocket.

“Unless of course, you become a Hollywood star and source your own funds for the rakyat then that can be your personal contribution. ”

Another mocked her that it is after all her obligation as the people’s representative to be doing what she is doing.

“Can you expect someone who doesn’t take care of Islam for herself take care of Islam for the ummah?” jibed one commenter with another remarking, “say whatever you like, sane Muslims will not believe you”.

In fact, even Syerleena’s ‘free-hair’ (except when she visits mosques/surau) feature can become a point of contention to undermine her.

Well, the DAP connection again speaks volume of why Muslims tend to reject Syerleena.

In all frankness, Syerleena’s hardship to win over the heart of her brethren has to do with a politically-motivated ploy by opposition-slant rightists to undermine the credibility of DAP ib the wake of the upcoming election season.

The same criticism has been levelled at her when she recently participated in the annual firewalking ceremony at the Kahlee Ama Temple in Taman Padang Tembak which falls in the vicinity of her Bukit Bendera constituency in Penang.

Sadly, such high degree of inclusivity has earned praises from non-Muslims only for brickbats to be hurled at her by her own brethren. – June 25, 2026

 Focus Malaysia-