KUALA LUMPUR – Despite DAP’s long-standing struggle in gaining support from the Malay electorate, the party’s young leaders from the majority ethnic group say that it has provided them with opportunities to rise up the ranks.
While one DAP leader recently called for a revamp of the party’s Chinese image, Syahredzan Johan, the political secretary to party’s veteran Lim Kit Siang, believes that there is no need for a major shift in its direction.
“To me, the party is on the right track to becoming a party that is accepted by all Malaysians, including the Malays,” the 38-year-old lawyer told The Vibes when contacted recently.
“This is especially so among the younger generation. More young Malays have signed up for the party, as they see DAP as being a party that values young leaders, which is apparent in the number of young elected representatives within our ranks.”
Syahredzan, who became Lim’s aide in 2018, said many young Malays are also attracted to the “hardworking” image of DAP’s elected representatives due to their efforts over the past decade.
“But of course, there have been some setbacks and we need to work on certain aspects of our image,” Syahredzan conceded.
While we value the diversity of opinions within the party, I do think that some of us need to be more mindful of how our statements are perceived, in order to ensure that these statements are not used against the party as a whole.”
However, he said this does not mean that the party should sacrifice its principles, or keep its members silent for the sake of political expediency.
Instead, the party must strike the right balance in saying what must be said, in a manner that will not be manipulated or utilised by political rivals to its detriment.
He said that out of all political parties in Malaysia, DAP’s core principles, such as respect for human rights and constitutionalism, most closely mirror his own core values.
“I am also attracted to the party’s stand of giving opportunities to young people. Lastly, I believe I can help build a better Malaysia through the party.”
Malays’ mistrust of DAP: matter of perception?
Recently, DAP former vice-chairman Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim said the Malays face trust issues with DAP because the party’s top brass is not transparent with its Malay members.
The former senator claimed that the party has faced long-standing distrust from the Malay community because it does not walk its talk, adding that he did not even know how many Malay members were in the party during his time in it.
He also said that the Malays remain “extremely suspicious” of DAP politics, seeing that the claim that it is a multi-racial party is more “rhetoric than factual practice”.
Penang DAP vice-chairman Zairil Khir Johari acknowledged that the party faces a perception problem, particularly among Malay and other Bumiputera communities.
He said although the matter has been going on for decades, DAP has made improvements over the last 15 years.
Zairil, who is Penang exco for infrastructure and transportation, said it was “not easy” for young Malays to enter DAP when he joined the party in 2010, as there were hardly any Malay members at the time.
However, the 39-year-old said he has since then witnessed many young Malays joining. The party now has representation in nearly every state.
That said, we are still far from where we need to be, ideally. The goal, of course, is not simply to increase the number of Malay representatives or Malay members That would happen as a matter of course, as long as we continually stick to being a part of principles that put the wellbeing of all Malaysians first”
The Tanjung Bungah assemblyman said DAP’s track record in Penang’s state government and other states such as Selangor and Negri Sembilan has helped with its image.
“This is especially true in Penang, where having a DAP-led government has not resulted in any oppression of Malays or any communities,” he stressed.
“Far from it. Our policies are needs-based and have been proven to help those who need it the most – particularly Malays, because they form the majority of the B40 group.”
Race-based trap?
Syerleena Abdul Rashid, who is the Seri Delima assemblywoman in Penang, said that it is “unfortunate” that the political landscape in Malaysia still revolves around identity politics.
“Race-based politics hinder progress and can only be harmful for our nation. DAP has always been a party that emphasises multiculturalism and provides equal opportunities for Malaysians – regardless of gender, race and religion,” she insisted.
Echoing Syahredzan’s sentiments, Syerleena said DAP has made inroads in the Malaysian political landscape and has contributed to certain reforms since 2008.
“But like every political and non-political organisation, you are bound to have factions who may present themselves differently, for example, by falling into the race-oriented trap,” she admitted.
I believe the main issue, the crux of the matter, boils down to education and how nationhood is being instilled in our young children.”
Syerleena, who joined DAP in 2013 and has been supporting the party since the 1980s because of her uncle, said that it may take up to one or two generations to change the present prevailing mindset on race relations.
“It is not fair to assume that DAP has not made any progress. We face decades of demonising, being labelled the ‘bogeyman that brought the May 13th riots’.
“Such labels are further amplified when disgruntled individuals who may have been linked to the party in the past continue to spew so much hatred,” she said.
"People will always tend to focus on the negative, and with the way social media news feeds are being presented to individuals, people are often confined within their own echo chambers."
She added that this was why the media plays an important role in spreading news that is neutral and does not play on emotions or sentiments.
Contrary to popular belief, Syerleena said DAP conducts its meetings and conventions in the Malay language, not Mandarin.
She also said it is common practice to have Tamil and Mandarin translators available, unlike its political rival MCA.
“People will tend to converse in a language that everyone is more comfortable with, which has nothing to do with political organisations per se, but more so the general demographic of the audience,” she said.
“This tends to happen even outside politics, such as in schools, universities, and in social gatherings.”
Raja Ahmad Iskandar Fareez, the organising secretary of DAP’s Bukit Bintang Youth wing, said it is crucial for the party and members to convince the masses that societal pursuits – including ensuring economic security, creating a just and inclusive society, and building a cohesive community – will greatly improve their wellbeing.
The 33-year-old said better employment opportunities, higher pay, and lower cost of living should take centre stage in the national discourse.
Admittedly, taking a more policy-driven and problem-solving approach might be less attractive than the divisive fiery rhetoric that Malaysians are used to. It will be an uphill task.
“But I believe there are enough DAP leaders and members who are bold enough to go against the grain and transform our political landscape to better serve the rakyat.” – The Vibes, January 7, 2022
