Dyana: DAP makes me feel truly Malaysian
Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud, who was recently defeated in the Teluk Intan by-election, has refuted the speculation by a former Malay DAP leader that she will exit the party upon realising it is not as multi-racial as first perceived.
Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud, who was recently defeated in the Teluk Intan by-election, has refuted the speculation by a former Malay DAP leader that she will exit the party upon realising it is not as multi-racial as first perceived.
On the contrary, she said that she had never felt as “truly Malaysian” as until she joined the DAP, which is often accused of being a Chinese-centric party.
She was addressing that statement made by former DAP vice-president Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim ( left ), that she would leave the party soon upon realising that it is not a multi-racial party, based on his own experience as a member.
“My experience with the party was never similar to Tunku Aziz’s. I joined DAP as a regular member after getting to know some of the party’s members and leaders.
“DAP is not merely a political party to me. It is family. My saudara-saudari, brothers and sisters in DAP have made me realise that it is possible to be a true Malaysian without obliging hypocrisy, unlike the empty “1Malaysia” slogan that supposedly encourages the spirit of being Malaysian, but is nothing more than a front for the continuation of racial politics,” she said in a statement today.
She added on that her priority in joining DAP was not to get any position but to be with like-minded people in the struggle for a better Malaysia.
“I understand and admire the struggle of its (DAP) leaders, and its principle of multi-culturalism. I appreciate its consistency in standing up for all Malaysians, regardless of race and religion,” said Dyana.
Nonetheless, she stressed that she has always been proud of her Malay roots and heritage but “don’t believe in abusing it at the expense of other Malaysians”.
“I believe that if all Malaysians focused on our similarities rather than our differences, then we could all see the world the same way Standard 1 kids do – skin colour-blind.
“And that is how I felt when I joined DAP.” she added.
Yesterday, Tunku Aziz was quoted by Bernama as saying that Dyana would realise that DAP was not a multi-racial party, “if she has any sense”.
He, himself, had joined DAP in August 2008, but resigned in May 2012 due to a difference in opinion pertaining to the party's position on mammoth Bersih 3.0 rally.
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