Field 5 Malay candidates in Penang, DAP told

Ahad, 14 Ogos 2011

Field 5 Malay candidates in Penang, DAP told

A newly formed Malay NGO wants DAP to field Malay candidates and appoint Malay excos within its rank if Pakatan retains the state government in the next polls.

 

GEORGE TOWN: A Penang-based NGO has challenged the DAP to field at least five ethnic Malay candidates to contest for the state seats in the next general election, to prove its multi racial political stance.

Only by doing so, newly formed Penang Malay Congress (KMPP) president Rahmad Isahak believes that the DAP can protect the interests of some 640,000 Malays in Penang.

“As the state ruling party, the DAP must walk its talk on multi racial politics.

“We demand the party to nominate minimum five Malays as state candidates in the next polls.

“Only then will we be convinced that the DAP would safeguard and enhance the Malay interests,” Rahmad said. Also present during a press conference were KMPP secretary Mohd Noor Kadir and its treasurer Mohd Faisal Kader.

Rahmad said KMPP had lost hope on the current two PKR’s Malay executive councillors in the state Pakatan Rakyat government.“They have been incompetent of protecting the Malay interests,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister I Mansor Othman and exco in charge of domestic trade and consumer, and Islamic religious affairs Abdul Malik Kassim are two ethnic Malay leaders in Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng state administration.

Rahmad chided both Mansor and Malik for being hapless and helpless in protecting Malay interests on housing, social-development and business in the state.

Malik for instance, he said, had proven to be an inept Malay leader given to his botched idea to introduce mosque polls in the state. “We can’t trust these Malay excos anymore.

“We want the dominant ruling DAP to field Malay candidates and appoint Malay excos within its rank if Pakatan retains the state government in the next polls.“Only then the Malay interests can be protected,” Rahmad said.

DAP has 19 state representatives, including four ethnic Indians. But there are no Malays.
No to street demonstrations

Rahmad feels DAP can afford to accommodate five ethnic Malays in its own line-up, rather than depending on PKR and PAS to deliver the Malay legislators.
“KMPP’s suggestion actually will steer DAP to develop into a complete multi racial party representing all races.

“How long DAP want to depend on PKR and PAS for Malay votes and legislators?” he asked.
If DAP failed to field Malay candidates, he said KMPP would prefer Barisan Nasional to wrest back the state government.

“At least BN can guarantee five executive councilors vis-à-vis Umno,” he claimed, recalling the previous government’s exco ratio.

KMPP was formed on Feb 16 this year to protect and enhance Malay rights, interests and benefits in the state.

Rahmad insisted that KMPP was neutral and independent, and was formed to spark mental, not physical, revolution for Malays.

He said KMPP never supported street demonstrations organised recently by so-called Malay groups against Lim’s government.

He said KMPP believed more in diplomatic and consultative ways to address and resolve Malay issues.

“Such unruly street demonstrations will only aggravate the situation.
“It actually reflects badly on the community,” slammed Rahmad.