Fifty years is too long to harbour fear of DAP, Zaid tells Malays

Fearing DAP on the premise that the predominantly Chinese party posed a threat to the status quo of the Malays and Islam is antiquated, according to former law minister Zaid Ibrahim.

Such a mindset, he said, was understandable in the aftermath of the 1969 race riots but not five decades later.

“For as long as I remember, and more so after 1969, Malays have been engulfed by negative thoughts about the Chinese/DAP.

“Immediately after 1969, that would be understandable but 50 years later?” he told Malaysiakini this evening.

According to Zaid, the politics of fear and being anti-DAP would bring nothing useful to the welfare of the Malays.

“Islam is safe and for some to suggest that Islam's future depend on them is perverse,” he added.

As for detractors claiming that DAP is the puppet master behind Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Zaid dismissed this but appeared to allude to the possibility of another pulling the strings from within or outside the administration.

“As for DAP controlling Mahathir, that is unlikely.

“If there is someone in or out of cabinet who is controlling Mahathir, he is probably a Malay and not a DAP leader,” he added, without elaborating.

In a Twitter posting earlier, Zaid urged Malays to shed their fear of DAP and join the Pakatan Harapan component party instead.

“Joining DAP will, in fact, make them better.

“When Malays have to work, interact and compete with Chinese and Indians, their values behaviour, lifestyle and approach to life will incrementally change.

“Malays will be richer for that,” he said.

Responding to another question, Zaid, who joined DAP in February 2017, confirmed that he is still a member.

“Yes of course, although a passive one. But that is not by choice,” he said when quizzed on this.

Zaid told Malaysiakini his tweet was in response to Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi saying the Umno-PAS alliance would not work with those who have ties with DAP. - Mkini