Party leaders have been reportedly meeting with “Malay opinion-makers in small closed-door discussions”.
Sources said although no ‘conclusive decisions’ have been made, the party leaders were discussing matters with potential candidates.
‘Basically DAP will sacrifice its safe seats as a goodwill to its Malay candidates.The objective is to show that the party is not anti-Malay,” said the source.
DAP is apparently aiming to field their ‘winnable’ Malay candidates in parliamentary seats.
“From what we know, the party has identified seven parliamentary seats for their winnable Malay candidates. The others are state seats. Some may contest in both seats.
“But this is still being decided,” said the source.
Post 2008 general election, DAP has been targeting ‘thinking’ Malays to increase its support within the community.
The party is desperately wanting to free itself from its image of representing only the Chinese community.
Currently with DAP are former Transperancy International Malaysia chairman Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim and Zairil Johari, son of former education minister Khir Johari.
Zahril together with DAP youth chief Anthony Loke and party strategist Liew Chin Tong have been tasked with wooing selected Malays.
A coup for DAP
Party leaders have been reportedly meeting with “Malay opinion-makers in small closed-door discussions dealing with issues concerning Islamic state, hudud and bumiputera affirmative action”.
Yesterday the party scored a coup. Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s former Pekan division information chief Mohd Ariff Sabri Aziz and Negeri Sembilan Umno veteran Aspan Alias joined the party.
Ariff, a former Pulau Manis state assemblyman was with Najib until 2004.
It is also learnt that former Umno minister Zaid Ibrahim will also be contesting under a DAP banner. It is likely that he will be fielded in an urban seat.
Zaid had last month declared that Kita, his party, will not contest in the general election but would instead throw its support behind Pakatan Rakyat.
Confirming rumours of his move to DAP, Ariff said yesterday: “Yes, that is what we are doing (joining DAP). I am impressed by DAP. They are principled, I like their professionalism.
“Don’t read our move as blasphemous or treasonable. In DAP I can speak on the plight of the displaced and disowned Malays with more energy than allowed of in Umno.
“Umno has turned its back on corruption and abuse of political office. DAP abhors these traits. To me these are are attractive propositions. As a Muslim, we are changing wadah not aqidah.”
‘No decisions yet’
Both Ariff and Aspan have been highly critical of Umno and Barisan Nasional’s mindless plundering and abuse of power.
Their move has stirred speculations over where the duo will contest.
Whilst rumours are that they will be fielded in Negeri Sembilan and Pahang respectively, political sources said no “conclusive decisions” have been made.
“The aim is to ensure the candidate wins and we will be careful where we place them. It may or may not be in their respective states,” said an observer.
Pahang has 14 parliamentary seats. The seats are Cameron Highlands (MIC-BN), Lipis (Umno-BN), Raub (MCA-BN), Jerantut (Umno-BN), Indera Mahkota (PKR-Pakatan Rakyat), Kuantan (PKR-Pakatan Rakyat), Pekan (Umno-BN), Maran (Umno-BN), Kuala Krau (Umno-BN), Temerloh (Umno-BN), Bentong (MCA-BN), Bera (Umno-BN) and Rompin (Umno-BN)
Word is that BN could only retain nine of the 14 parliamentary seats in Pahang.
BN is likely to lose in Cameron Highlands, Jerantut, Raub and Bentong. Also in jeopardy is the Bera and Termerloh seats.
Meanwhile BN is also tipped to lose more seats in Negeri Sembilan. Currently DAP holds two out of the current eight parliamentary seats. The seats are Rasah held by DAP Youth chief Anthony Loke and Seremban MP John Fernandez. Teluk Kemang is held by PKR’s Kamarul Baharin Abbas.
1 comment:
Malaysia first or Islam first?
Recently the Malaysian King, the Agung, emphasized on the special position of Islam in Malaysia. That’s not the point. The point is, which comes first, Malaysia or Islam? Rightly, Malaysia comes first and foremost. Always, Malaysia comes first. Is the Agung aware of this? If they choose Islam first, then…………..
If they choose Islam first, then it is time for all non-Muslim Malaysians to give strong moral support to the Philippine’s claim to Sabah. Philippines is a non-Muslim nation; and therefore all non-Muslim Malaysians should give moral support to the Philippine claim to Sabah. Even in India, to this very day, some of the best schools and hospitals were established by Christian missionaries; we need one nation, two systems or one nation several systems in Malaysia. In fact "one nation, several systems" is the best way to administer Malaysia. China is a good model for one nation with two systems for Malaysians to emulate. I hope the Sabahans will lead the way and the rest of Malaysia will emulate the one nation many systems way, using China as a model.
Malaysia first or Islam first?
The Islamic scriptures allows for slavery. Islam is not egalitarian.
In addition, we need to know more about the Malay Regiment. Again, Malaysia first or Islam first?Does the Malay Regiment put Islam first or Malaysia first? The Malay Regiment has to choose between Malaysia first or Islam first because they cannot have both. The Islamic scriptures allows for slavery. All Malaysian citizens have to put Malaysia first.
As regards to Islamic history, let's be honest about it. There are those who have branded Prophet Mohamed a demon possessed pedophile. As a matter of fact, none of the old books, namely Torah, Buddhist scriptures, the Bible, the Bhagavad Gita, etc. can be adhered to today. It is a changing world. It is a evolving world. Please visit a library or book store and you would see many new books written within the last one hundred years. New books are sufficient; we do not need old ancient books. Try new books.
At the global level, both Mandarin language and English will compete for influence. It is often a numbers game; and believe me that China with more than a billion people has an advantage in any numbers game. May be Chinese English will eventually be tolerated world-wide. (I define Chinese English as L1 interference English). Since China has a growing economy and more than 1 billion people, it would eventually be hard to avoid L1 interference English; and we also have to tolerate code-switching by bi-lingual and tri-lingual speakers. The Chinese Malaysians should make sure that Mandarin medium schools grow in Malaysia.
By the way, the indigenous people of Malaya are the Orang Asli, not Malays. The Orang Asli are not even mentioned in the Constitution. Furthermore, another person who should hold his tongue and stop making comments is Dr.Chandra Muzzafar. Dr.Chandra Muzzafar has no influence among Malaysian Indians. If Dr.Chandra Muzzafar does make any comments, please ignore it.
The bottom line is that, no matter who says what, the future is that with every passing day both China and India are growing socially, politically, and economically. I don't care who says what; and I don't care who does what. Nothing can change the fact that with every passing day both China and India are strengthening socially, politically, and economically. That's it. The bottom line is the bottom line.
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