Unfair Criticism Directed Towards DAP
I’ve just read johnleemk and rajan’s comment regarding my posting on PKR’s strategy, and I felt that I would like to reply to their remarks on DAP in a new post here 
Democratic Action Party (DAP)’s logo
I just want to say that I disagree with his views on DAP though. I feel that DAP don’t deserve a lot of the harsh criticism that it regularly gets from the public and opposing parties alike. DAP was actually the first party which I was attracted to, due to it’s noble multiracial ‘Malaysian Malaysia’ ideology. And socialism? I think they’re more of a social democrat party than anything else. When have you ever heared Lim Kit Siang or Karpal Singh sprout socialist economic policies before? DAP, IMO, is actually by far the most ‘morally rightous’ party in Malaysia. It’s the only party with a minority (Indian - Karpal Singh) as it’s chairman. It has the highest porportion of elected women MPs out of all the parties in parliament. And amidst all the accusations directed towards it for it’s perceived ‘Chinese chauvinistic’ attitude, the reality shows a different picture:
DAP, unlike MCA, doesn’t restrict membership to solely Chinese-Malaysians. If our Malay brethrens were really interested in DAP’s ideals, nothing’s stopping them from joining up en mass, and by virtue of them being the majority (we’re living in a democracy after all), they could then easily amend any undesirable elements they preceive that are dogging the party to make it more electable to the Malay majority. The ultra-Chinese faction could easily be ousted by them to maintain DAP’s moderate political outlook if they really wanted to. Anyway, back to DAP’s leadership structure. It willingly voted for the legal maestro Karpal Singh to be it’s leader, for Pete’s sake! In addition to that, it also counts amongst it ranks other notable non-Chinese members, such as the new member, Professor P. Ramasamy, the vocal M. Kula Segaran (MP - Ipoh Barat), as well as Zulkifli Mohd Noor in Penang.
And last but not least, let’s not forget many of the DAP member’s courageous sacrifices, all in the name of justice, equality and fairness. Lim Kit Siang was imprisoned twice under the ISA for his beliefs. His son, Lim Guan Eng, willingly went to prison, after he helped raised the case of the alleged rape (which was cleared by the courts) of a poor and troubled young Malay girl by a prominent UMNO politician, after her grandmother approched him for help. I don’t see any Chinese-centric agenda in action here. Do you? What do any of the DAP members stand to gain from their sacrifices, apart from upholding justice and defending the underprivilleged?
And lastly, Rajan, wealthy Chinese businessmen don’t go for DAP laa 
They head in droves to the in-power laissez-faire MCA lah. What can DAP possibly offer to them, considering they’re in opposition? 
I didn’t say the DAP doesn’t mean well. What I said was that they don’t appear to be pro-actively pursuing the Malay vote. And let’s face it - like it or not, most Malay voters, even the intellectual ones, fear the DAP as much as non-Malays fear PAS. It’s surprising, but true. I have no doubt the DAP means well. But they are definitely not going to be part of that “sea change” I mentioned unless they get their act together.
Comment by johnleemk — November 25, 2005 @ 3:02 pm
…but how many Malay member in DAP? and not all Chinese & Indians supports DAP. If DAP wants to be gomen they cannot stand alone so is PKR or PAS. But you knowlah bro.Kit Siang,this cannot,that cannot…me think he will die being Mr.Opposittion only ma!
People like U & me knows the courageous deeds done by some DAP leaders but the rural folks dont careless…to them politics is UMNO/BN because UMNO/BN tabur wang. No wonder corrupted leaders are being elected every election,while honest politicians are being kick out.
Look at PAS,there many good & honest leaders but the Malays still prefer to put in lembus like Badaruddin,Isa Samad,
Rafidah Aziz etc.
So is Samy Velooooo!!!
Comment by ali allah ditta — November 25, 2005 @ 4:03 pm
“And let’s face it - like it or not, most Malay voters, even the intellectual ones, fear the DAP as much as non-Malays fear PAS.” - johnleemk
If they’re a smart and open-minded bunch, then they should know that there’s nothing to fear from DAP, actually. All of DAP’s beliefs and aims are fair and positive. Can’t say the same for PAS though. DAP isn’t trying to impose anything on anyone. PAS is.
ali allah ditta: YB LKS is actually quite a flexible man, actually. Why would he agree to be allies with PAS if he wasn’t? But agree with you on the Malay part though. Are you a Malay incidentally? What then are your opinions as to why DAP is doing such a poor job of attracting the Malays?
And DEFINATELY agree with you on Badaruddin!
Comment by Administrator — November 27, 2005 @ 10:01 am
As to your question whether I am a Malay.. the answer is yes.
As I see DAP,though they claim to be multi racial,but basically they are more chinese in character.Like UMNO,DAP made many statements that are pro-chinese in nature that cause the Malays to distance themselves from DAP.The Malays,too, sees DAP as another chinese party other then Gerakan & MCA.
Malays are very sensitive about their religion & once someone says something bad about Islam obviously they will be upset.
Like the concept of Islamic state. DAP shouldnt oppose outright the concept of Islamic state,just like what Kit Siang did. What Kit Siang should have done was to keep in view of this concept & when they(opposition) come to power,sit & discuss what aspect of the Islamic State concept they can implement together in the spirit of muhibah.Kit Siang is afraid by accepting the Islamic concept,DAP will loose the chinese support. How come MCA & Gerakan is very much supported by the chinese though the BN govt introduced the Islam Hadari concept?
U might say PAS Islamic state concept is more rigid,extremist & they want to chop hands & feet. But,mind you,Islam is Islam,there no such thing as Islam Hadari or Islam Badawi. So what MCA & Gerakan are doing is that they are supporting UMNO’s Islamic state concept which is also base on the Koran just like what PAS is preaching.
I am more concerned about corruptions,misused of power,money politics etc..etc.. so whoever is vocal about this gets my vote it doesnt matter sama ada DAP or PAS or Keadilan.
Cheers!!
Comment by ali allah ditta — November 28, 2005 @ 9:23 am
Ali, the Chinese/Indians vote for MCA/Gerakan because they fear ketuanan Islam more than ketuanan Melayu and know UMNO’s Islam Hadhari is just meaningless propaganda.
Anyhow, would Malays find it more palatable to condemn an Islamic theocracy instead of an Islamic state? (I don’t really see the difference between the two, though.)
Comment by johnleemk — November 28, 2005 @ 4:16 pm
ali: Interesting comments. So, DAP basically has 2 problems which prevents the Malays from supporting it:
1. The rejection of an Islamic state concept
2. Too pro-Chinese
I see, I see. So now I’m wondering, would the Malays agree to a compromise? If DAP can’t compromise on the implementation of the Hudud Law, what can it compromise in it’s place for the Malay votes? What about allowing certain aspects of it to be use in the Muslim Family Courts for divorces/children’s custody perhaps?
Can you, as a Malay-Muslim, support the notion of a secular state? This doesn’t mean rejecting all our religions, it just means that parties are not allowed to run based on religions. But everyone’s still free to practice their own religions at home. Like the system in Turkey, and even Indonesia. Many non-Muslims, even Christians and such, can support this system.
In concept, DAP is actually a very good party. It’s not a socialist/communist party like how some people label it. It supports the free market and so on. LKS and KS never said otherwise before. DAP should stop being referred to as a ’socialist’ party, instead it should be called a ’social democratic’ party, similar to parties like the Labour Party in the UK and Australia, or even the Democratic Party in the US which are the primary party which the minorities there support. Why? Because all social democratic parties believe in social justice (no one should be super poor while others are super rich) and equality for all. DAP believes in the redistribution of wealth in the form of higher taxation to the rich which would be redistributed to the poor. So actually, the poor Malays don’t have to worry about not getting any help from it. In fact, anybody who’s poor will get welfare benefits and scholarships, irregardless of race. So in an economic sense, DAP is actually quite sound.
So now we come to the prickly proble of DAP being too Chinese-oreintated. A agree with you that DAP sometimes champion distinctly Chinese issues, such as vernacular schools (which I don’t support incidentally, coming from a nice and multiracial national primary school). But multiculturalism actually also mean that this niche of Chinese who likes the Chinese-type schools and what not has to be respected as well. As I can see it, most of the other issues that DAP champions are actually quite race-blind and follow’s it’s principle of equality.
The Malays are always welcomed to join DAP. In fact ali, as I’ve said before, if more people like you join up the party and ultimately become members of it’s ‘Supreme Council’, DAP would have no choice but to reform itself to become more Malay-friendly (since a more Malays will be involve in it’s decision-making process). And screw the other hardline-Chinese, I would definately support a DAP that has more Malay members in it.
P.S.: Just curious ali, do you mind that the leaders of DAP are non-Malays? Like let’s say that you live in Perak, and DAP wins that state, are you ok with a non-Malay Menteri Besar of Perak?
I wouldn’t mind if my leader was a non-Chinese, so long as he/she’s principled, sincere and effective. Karpal Singh as PM of Malaysia? Big deal…
Comment by Administrator — November 28, 2005 @ 11:35 pm
John,U said “Ali, the Chinese/Indians vote for MCA/Gerakan because they fear ketuanan Islam more than ketuanan Melayu and know UMNO’s Islam Hadhari is just meaningless propaganda.”
Ali: John,the Chinese/Indian do not fear anything.To them ada rumah duduk,ada tempat kerja,ada peluang bikin banyak duit. Have U heard Chinese in Kelantan migrating in droves to other states because the gomen there wants an Islamic state? The Chinese there(Kelantan) don’t complain at all,in fact they are very happy.Its only the MAC,Gerakan & DAP that is not happy. Ini polik lah kawan.
U said,”Anyhow, would Malays find it more palatable to condemn an Islamic theocracy instead of an Islamic state? (I don’t really see the difference between the two, though.)
Ali: John,to the Malays Islamic theocracy or Islamic state doesn’t matter.Malays,macam orang Cina/India pun cari makan. Without the orang Cina/India hidup orang Melayu susah lo so as otherwise,betul tak? We live happily for over 40 years after merdeka,what can I say more. Tak adil,bais that’s normal,in US,Australia is nor better. Ask the Americans & Australians how they treat their orang asli & compare that to ours. Dulu U get all these cowboy movies depicting the cowboys shooting & killing the Injuns(Red Indian) at least we don’t do that in Malaysia.
U said ” So now I’m wondering, would the Malays agree to a compromise? If DAP can’t compromise on the implementation of the Hudud Law, what can it compromise in it’s place for the Malay votes?
Ali: As I had said earlier religion is sensitive to the Malays.When someone shout at the Malays saying,”to hell with Islam!!” Macam mana mau compromise lagi kawan?
U said,”But everyone’s still free to practice their own religions at home. Like the system in Turkey, and even Indonesia. Many non-Muslims, even Christians and such, can support this system.
Ali: The Malys have been doing that since independence. Only now the element of Islamic State being added. Tell me sama ada we are stoping the non Malays from practicising their own religion. Tell me sama ada the Kelantan gomen is doing that too. The answer is NO…NO…
U said,” In concept, DAP is actually a very good party. It’s not a socialist/communist party like how some people label it. It supports the free market and so on……”
Ali: DAP was born on PAP platform after the latter was banned from Malaysian political scene. PAP is socialist so is DAP but later on they evolved,they say they are multi racial but see what’s happening now & in doing so they are scaring away the Malays. Social Justice,yes,I agree with you on that issue I support 100% perjuangan DAP.
U said,”So now we come to the prickly proble of DAP being too Chinese-oreintated. A agree with you that DAP sometimes champion distinctly Chinese issues, such as vernacular schools…..
Ali: You got it right there…..me sokong penuh.
U said,”The Malays are always welcomed to join DAP. In fact ali, as I’ve said before, if more people like you join up the party and ultimately become members of it’s ‘Supreme Council’, DAP would have no choice but to reform itself to become more Malay-friendly……”
Ali: Me joining DAP..eh thanks for the invitation,but I prefer to be an observer & supports no one. Me vote for the candidate that fights for social justice,human rights,corruption etc..etc.. if that honest candidate is from DAP/PAS/Keadilan or even BN,then he gets my vote,so did Kit Siang who got my vote in Tanjong years back.
U said,”Just curious ali, do you mind that the leaders of DAP are non-Malays? Like let’s say that you live in Perak, and DAP wins that state, are you ok with a non-Malay Menteri Besar of Perak?……
Ali: I come from Penang,my CM is Dr,Koh Tsu Khoon….so no problemo!!!
Cheers.
Comment by ali allah ditta — November 30, 2005 @ 3:03 pm
Haha, I wasn’t saying that DAP isn’t controlled by rich Chinese businessmen, but was poking fun with the stereotype that Chinese are rich whose vocation is business.
Comment by Rajan R — December 2, 2005 @ 2:38 am
Plus, as a libertarian free-market supporter, I would vehemently oppose calling any BN component parties, *including* MCA laissez-faire.
Comment by Rajan R — December 2, 2005 @ 2:40 am