State DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow today told party members to be aware that Umno, as shown at its recent annual general assembly, is trying to imply that Malays will lose power when Pakatan Rakyat rules Putrajaya.

He allayed that fear at the party's state convention today in Penang, promising that the Malays will continue to hold power even if Pakatan comes to power after the 13th general election.

NONE "Umno/BN are aware they also face a tough fight, the AGM was used as a front to battle with Pakatan. They use Malay rights to attack Pakatan," said Chow

"The non-Malays were again threatened about the May 13 spectre. We assure Malays they will not lose power in their own land, but only Umno will," added Chow, to loud cheers from the floor.

"PAS, PKR and DAP can represent the rights and interests of the Malays," he stressed.

All geared up for polls

At about 10am, the team of DAP leaders led by the DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, were welcomed by members waving the Ubah (Hornbill) flag and wearing headgear featuring the mascot.

Other Pakatan leaders including state PKR chief Mansor Othman and state PAS committee member Jamaluddin Saad and other colleagues were present.

This year's theme, Forward Penang, towards Putrajaya focusses on the polls as this is the last convention before the 13th general election, which would most likely be called before May next year.

Chow affirmed the party will focus on the general election, and its main goal is to defend the Pakatan administration in Penang until Umno is led out the door and the coalition can rule Putrajaya.

"DAP is prepared to face the most important elections in the country because it will determine the future, whether we will still have a bright future with the rule by the rakyat or a country that continues to decline under BN rule," he said.

"Umno or BN will not let go of their rule so easily. Recent predictions show they are still ahead of us, and will win 120 compared to 100 seats from Pakatan if the election is held now. If it is held in May, I don't know the situation then," he added.

He urged the members to triple their efforts to threaten BN's power and to utilise the 50-100 days left until the next GE to go all out in fighting BN.

Nine resolutions from state reps

Today, 280 delegates from 132 state branches, committees, assemblypersons and MPs attended the convention at the Red Rock Hotel.

There is no state election this year as it has been postponed and the delegates are expected to pass nine proposed resolutions to be presented by the state committee.

The resolutions are based on three principles: all promises must be fulfilled by the Pakatan government; prioritise the country's multi-ethnic and multi-religious communities in policy-making, inline with the DAP's Malaysian Malaysia and guarantee the integrity of the coalition's leaders, where swift and strict action be taken against those who are involved in corruption and abuse of power.

The party wants to uphold Pakatan's common policy framework 'Buku Jingga"iIf given the mandate to rule Putrajaya.

It supports the anti-hopping law recently passed by the Penang state assembly, and welcomes the state's "good efforts" in promoting its version of AES (Agenda Ekonomi Saksama) and its plan to eradicate poverty by next year.

The nine resolutions are:

  • Allow Pakatan to rule Penang so that all wealth and resources are enjoyed by the public and not concentrated in the hands of "a few Umno/BN cronies";
  • Urge the federal government to allocate resources equally and fairly to Penang;
  • Urge that the Automated Enforcement System be revamped and its agreements revealed to the public;
  • Insist that the Home Ministry and the police to seriously probe activities that threaten the safety of political leaders and to take action on the perpetrators;
  • Demand that the police treat all parties and political leaders equally regardless of political affiliation;
  • Urge for more CCTVs to be installed especially in high density areas to ensure safety of public;
  • Urge for the immediate setting up of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission;
  • Urge support for elections and cooperation with Penang to carry-out local government elections;
  • Urge first time voters to fulfil their responsibilities to vote and give full support to Pakatan so that it can move forward towards Putrajaya.