Penang Malays, fed up of the constant internal squabbles in PAS and PKR, want to see an alternate ethnic leadership from Pakatan.
(Free Malaysia Today) - A strong Malay leadership must emerge in DAP soon if the party wants to live up to its Malaysian Malaysia concept and win over the Malays, an NGO said here today.
Penang Malays Congress (PMC) president Rahmad Isahak said this was crucial, especially in Penang since DAP is the party helming the Pakatan Rakyat state government.
He said many Penang Malays, especially the educated, cyber-savvy and urbanite lot, were seeking an alternate ethnic leadership from Pakatan, given their dislike for Umno-BN.
However, he said these Malays do not have a high regard for the leadership provided by DAP’s Pakatan allies, PKR and PAS, largely due to the parties’ constant internal bickering.
“Penang Malays view PKR and PAS Malay leadership as weak. PKR and PAS are deemed to be lacking cohesive, dynamic and vibrant leaders.
“DAP has to seize the opportunity to develop and promote a strong and effective Malay leadership to capture their imagination,” said Rahmad.
If DAP can do that, he said, the party would be able to see off Umno’s challenge in the long run and secure Malay vote bank on its own.
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Rahmad said the DAP now is dependent on PKR and PAS to deliver the Malay votes to Pakatan.
“This over-dependence will be detrimental to DAP in the long run, both in Penang and elsewhere,” he added.
He said that a good way for DAP to promote and market a dynamic Malay leadership is to hold a debate with Umno in Penang on “which coalition can best safeguard the Malay interests”.
