KUALA KUBU BAHARU – The influx of Malay DAP members shows that the party is inclusive and does not discriminate, despite the perception that it primarily serves non-Malays.
Recently, the party received membership applications from 50 Malay individuals for the Jalan Kemboja branch in Hulu Selangor.
DAP deputy chairman Gobind Singh Deo attributed the surge in applications to the impactful contributions of the late Kuala Kubu Baharu assemblywoman, Lee Kee Hiong, to her constituency.
“(Lee) had performed well in contributing to (her constituency) by working hard and visiting the grassroots. It led to many people intending to join DAP.
“DAP is a party for all…what’s important is that we want to ensure all layers of society have an opportunity to dabble in politics,” he told a press conference at the party’s Kuala Kubu Baharu community service centre today.
Gobind highlighted the party’s commitment to inclusivity by nominating Pang Sock Tao as the unity government’s candidate for the upcoming by-election in the constituency.
Also present was DAP vice chairman Teresa Kok who noted that the party had conducted political workshops locally to foster the understanding of DAP’s objectives.
“I am happy (about the applications). I welcome more Malays to join DAP and play a role in helping the federal and state governments,” she said.
Meanwhile, party central committee member Young Syefura Othman shared her own journey of joining DAP. She also noted the bravery of a 21-year-old student who was among the new Malay DAP members.
“It is brave for a college student to want to be in a party which is surrounded by unfavourable sentiments.
“This provides a new and healthy image that this party is always open to the youth,” she said.
The Jalan Kemboja DAP branch is the third to have an official group known as “DAP Melayu,” following others set up in Batang Kali and Bukit Beruntung.
This development coincides with the campaign period for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, triggered by the passing of Lee due to cancer last month.
Polling day is scheduled for May 11, with early voting on May 7.
The current contest is seeing a four-cornered fight between Pang (Pakatan Harapan), Khairul Azhari Saut (Perikatan Nasional), Hafizah Zainudin (Parti Rakyat Malaysia), and Nyau Ke Xin (independent). – April 28, 2024