Teresa: DAP was asked to keep a low profile during some by-elections
DAP vice-president Teresa Kok has brushed off claims that her party was to blame for the defeat of the Pakatan Harapan-BN coalition government in the Sungai Bakap by-election
In an interview with Utusan Malaysia, the Seputeh MP said that the party had even been asked by some members of its coalition to adopt a low-profile “in some by-elections”.
UPDATED 4.27PM | Added more context from Kok’s interview.
DAP vice-president Teresa Kok has brushed off claims that her party was to blame for Pakatan Harapan-BN’s defeat in the Sungai Bakap by-election
In an interview with Utusan Malaysia, the Seputeh MP said some members of the coalition had even asked the party to adopt a low-profile “in some by-elections”.
“Sometimes, in some by-elections, some members of the political coalition asked us not to organise rallies and not be too bold because when we organise rallies, many people will come.
“When only 47 percent of Chinese voters turned out in the Sungai Bakap by-election, there are Umno veterans who say DAP should take responsibility. But it’s not our fault.
“What could we do? We could not enter the villages, we were chased out. They didn’t want our presence to be too obvious and we adhered (to the request). This was a sign of respect to our partners,” she told the Malay daily.
DAP ‘evil, communists, anti-Malay’
Kok claimed that DAP has transformed and has been trying to win more multiracial areas, citing the party’s victory in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, where only 30 percent of the voters were Chinese.
“DAP had all this while held on to the principle of multiculturalism. We serve all… DAP now wants to be seen as a party for all Malaysians. Even our party song, lyrics are for all Malaysians.
“Even then, it is not easy because all this while Malays have been told that the Chinese are evil, DAP is evil and communists, even though they might not even know what is a communist.
“All these are mixed together with (claims that the DAP) is anti-Islam, anti-Malay. It is not easy for us to win the hearts of the Malays, especially in the rural areas,” she said.
Following the defeat, Umno veterans’ association leader Mustapha Yaakub said that Umno had poured in considerable effort and resources to help Harapan with the election but claimed that the same could not be said for DAP.
Perikatan Nasional retained Sungai Bakap with an increased majority and vote share as lower turnout hit Harapan hard.
The Akmal dilemma
Kok called for a proper analysis by the coalition government to determine the real reasons behind the by-election defeat, whether due to national or local concerns.
“One dilemma faced by DAP is having to respond to the challenge from Umno, particularly from Umno Youth leader Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, who issues racist statements every week that target DAP.
“It is to the extent that the DAP cannot remain silent and must retaliate, creating the perception of a conflict between the two parties.
“If DAP does not respond, we would be seen as a ‘muted’ party by the Chinese and Indian communities.
“However, when we get into loggerheads with Umno and Umno Youth like before, the Malays see us as being rude and racist,” she said.
Kok concluded that this situation demonstrates instability in the present coalition government and warned that if it continues, it would be difficult to maintain cohesion.
