Stop questioning DAP’s commitment to constitution, friends and foes told

DAP’s commitment to upholding the Federal Constitution, including Islam as the religion of the federation and the special position of the Malays, should no longer be questioned.

This is the message from three of the party’s central executive members - Young Syefura Othman, Syahredzan Johan, and Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali - to “friends and foes” alike.

In a joint statement, the trio referred to DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke’s assurance that the party would adopt a moderate approach in implementing policies and political decisions based on the Federal Constitution.

Addressing the concerns of Umno, whose president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi attended the DAP national congress yesterday, Loke stressed that DAP is “not a communist but a centre-left party whose struggles and objectives are centred on the Federal Constitution”.

Young Sefura, Syahredzan, and Sheikh Umar said this stand was amplified with the delegates passing a resolution to strengthen DAP’s commitment as mentioned in the Shah Alam Declaration more than a decade ago to defend the Federal Constitution.

“This includes Islam as the religion of the federation, the special position of the Malays as well as the Orang Asal of Sabah and Sarawak, Bahasa Malaysia as the national language, parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy and the interests of other races,” they added.

Racial composition

On the issue of racial composition, which DAP’s detractors tend to harp on, the trio said the party represented all Malaysians, including the Malays.

“DAP’s struggle is for Malaysia and Malaysians.

“The Malays in DAP, like those of other races, play an important role in contributing to the party and serving the people. Malay DAP members have positions at all levels,” they added.

The CEC leaders said proof of DAP’s struggle to be in line with the Federal Constitution and Malaysia’s laws is in its consistent participation in the national election process.

“With this, we call on all quarters, whether friends or foes, who have questioned the basis of DAP’s stand and struggle, to stop doing so,” the trio added.

DAP’s political rivals, including Umno in the past, have often spread fraudulent narratives against the predominantly Chinese party to sow distrust among the Malay-Muslim electorate.

Apart from being branded as communist, DAP has also been accused of seeking to undermine the position of the Malays and Islam in Malaysia while its Malay members are demonised as those enabling such objectives. - Mkini