Jamal and DAP: 'Weird feeling' as former foes stand together

STATE POLLS | For the first time, Umno and DAP members, accustomed to trading barbs with each other, found themselves on the same side during the nomination process.

This peculiar sensation was most palpable in Sungai Besar, Selangor, the base of Jamal Md Yunos (above), the former leader of the infamous “red shirts”.

For one DAP member, who wished to be known as Chia, it felt “weird” to be wearing a blue BN T-shirt.

Chia was present to lend support to BN candidate Mohd Imran Tamrin, who is the incumbent assemblyperson for Sungai Panjang.

The DAP member also told Malaysiakini he found it “awkward” that Jamal now considered him a “brother”.

Recalling his meeting with the leader of the infamous “red shirts” last night, Chia said: “Jamal tapped my shoulder and said, ‘we used to fight but we are now abang adik (brothers).”

At the height of the 1MDB scandal In 2015, Jamal was among those involved in the planning of a gathering, dubbed the Sept 16 rally, to counter Bersih 4.

He had claimed that Malay NGOs were compelled to rise due to the multiple acts during Bersih 4 which insulted the Malay rulers.

Jamal said the turnout was predominantly “Chinese who were brainwashed by DAP” and their gathering was to “send a clear message to the DAP Chinese not to be impudent to the Malay race”.

Met at the sidelines of the same nomination centre this morning, Jamal, who has had a change of heart since then, described Umno’s current ties with DAP as “dulu lawan, sekarang kita kawan (foes in the past, friends now)”.

He also recalled how he had invited a DAP member, with whom he had often locked horns in the past, on stage.

Jamal stressed that for this election, there is no DAP or Umno logos, just BN versus Perikatan Nasional.

“And PN stands for ‘Penipuan Nasional (national liars),” he added.

After the last general election, Harapan and BN formed an alliance to put an end to the political deadlock as well as to form a coalition government.

RM20 ‘token’ money

Sungai Besar Harapan supporters were also in for yet another first in their cooperation with BN today as they received “token” money worth RM20, supposedly for showing up at the nomination centre.

Both BN and Harapan supporters were seen queuing up at the BN machinery room to receive the money after the nomination was over.

Sungai Besar Amanah committee member Abu Bakar told Malaysiakini that the money was a “token” for those who came to show their support and carry the flags.

It is learnt that supporters had to register their IC numbers to receive a voucher when they arrived in the morning, and this voucher was used to exchange for the RM20.

There were nine counters seen in the BN machinery room where supporters were lining up based on their parties.

Another Sungai Besar Amanah committee member Zairul Hafiz said this was his first time receiving something like this.

“Usually it’s just food or drink… we have never registered and given vouchers.

“It is not a waste for us to spend time, march, and carry the flags,” Zairul said. - Mkini