In the past Malays were dependent on Umno to champion their plight, but since BN remains an underdog in Penang, the community has better prospects with Pakatan.
(FMT) - DAP will not last a week in Penang if all Malay candidates in Pakatan Rakyat lose in the upcoming general election, said the Penang Malay Congress.
Its president Rahmad Isahak said: “Even if Pakatan regained power in Penang, minus its Malay assemblymen, the state government will be a lameduck and can last perhaps seven days.
“It is vital for the Pakatan government to ensure its Malay candidates or incumbents withstand the onslaught of a “wounded tiger” in BN.”
One way to do this, said Rahmad, was for PKR and PAS to consider allowing DAP to field Malay candidates in Penang.
This is because DAP has become a major political force in Penang, akin to how PAS had strengthened its grip on Kelantan.
Anyone contesting on a DAP ticket stands a strong chance of winning.
The election outcome should reflect the aspiration of the races, but if one major ethnic group does not have any representation in the state, any government is bound to fail, said Rahmad.
“We are living in a county where race and religion are part and parcel of our make up. Any government formed should have the participation of all races, not just one,” he added.
Rahmad hopes that PKR and PAS will support the congress’ proposal that DAP be allowed to field Malay candidates here.
“It is not that the congress is an ally of DAP, neither is it supporting BN. We just consider ourselves the guardians of the Malay political rights and voices in Penang,” he said.
Malays marginalised
According to Rahmad, the congress is only expressing views that many Malays who have become fence-sitters, are worried about.
“We are driven to speak out on issues from the perspective of the Malay community who feel that they are being marginalised because the growing socio-economic divide,” he added.
