The sight of Malay party members at DAP's national congress has become increasingly common over the years, despite vigorous attempts by BN to paint the party as Chinese chauvinists working against Malay and Muslim interests.

 

dap national congress 161212 malay mohd nasir zainal Malaysiakini spoke to a number of DAP's Malay members during the 16th party congress held in Penang to learn their motivations for joining the party.

 

Mohd Nasir Zainal ( left ), 54, was among the founders of the Sungai Tong branch, in Terengganu in 2000.

 

According to Mohd Nasir, he is inclined towards a multiracial party and DAP was to him the obvious choice.

 

He said he could have chosen PKR, but was put off because it had too many former Umno members. 

 

Asked for his opinion on DAP's opposition towards hudud law, Mohd Nasir said he has no problems reconciling his religious convictions with the party stand.

 

“Hudud is for Muslims, for the non-Muslims it is not a problem,” he said.

Mohd Nasir said he respects PAS' struggle for the hudud and is confident that the party will seek approval from all its Pakatan Rakyat partners before this is implemented.

 

dap congress 161212 zairil sivakumar jimmy wong While reminiscing on his involvement with DAP, Mohd Nasir said his parents had asked him why he had joined a "Chinese party" and not a "Malay party".

 

“I told them that I was interested in the DAP. Until today there are people asking me the same question and after I explain my stand, they accept it,” he said.

 

He added that the DAP's struggle is more important than to the racial composition of its membership.

Changing perceptions

 

Another delegate from Sungai Tong, Othman Salleh, 52, said he was attracted to DAP's clean image.

 

othman salleh dap Othman, who sports a skull cap, admitted that it has been a challenge to change perception of Malay membership in DAP.

 

"People do not like Malays joining the DAP. They think we will change our religion,” he said.

 

However, he believes that the party will safeguard Malay interests, as its leaders have proven that they can work with the PKR and PAS leaders who are mainly Malays.

 

Shari Othman, 58, who founded the Damansara Bistari branch in SS2, Petaling Jaya Utara, agrees with Othman's views.

 

dap national congress 161212 malay shari othman “I am happy that the DAP local leaders have participated in the activities of the Malays in my area.

 

“Previously during Hari Raya Korban we may get a cow but under DAP we get two cows from our MP Tony Pua,” he said, adding that his surau has received an allocation of RM20,000 under Pakatan and DAP stewardship.

 

“DAP is not anti-Malay or anti-Islam. It is Umno that is anti Islam,” said Shari.

 

Shari also said he is happy with DAP's style of administration as there is no bureaucracy and it does not show any favouritism.

 

"It is easy to deal with DAP, there are no questions asked and when we apply for something, our request would be granted,” he said.