The DAP can show its sincerity to the Malay community by making public how many Malay candidates it would field in the coming general election, said a Penang based NGO.

"The DAP should do this as soon as possible as it currently faces a question of sincerity since the party's national congress last month failed to elect any Malay candidates to its central executive committee," said Penang Malay Congress president Rahmad Isahak.

Zairil Khir Johari (2) This is despite its recent revelation that Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's political secretary Zairil Khir Johari ( right) had actually won a place in the top 20 posts due to a computer glitch , he added.

Rahmad said although the DAP has said that there would be Malays contesting in the coming polls, the community needs confirmation.

"No confirmation angers the Malay community because it seems their candidates are not important.

"We need to know for sure so we can be prepared when the polls come," the former court staff added.

"There is no need for the DAP to reveal the names or constituencies, but the number of candidates.

"They must be local leaders and have gone through the DAP's interview process (for candidates) last year," Rahmad added.

DAP in transition period

The PMC is proposing that the DAP field three candidates at state level and one for Parliament, adding that this would truly make DAP a multi-racial party.

NONE However, Rahmad ( left ) said it is not easy for Malays to find a place in the party and doing so would take time.

"We realise that DAP is currently in a transition period but this timeframe can be shortened if the leadership is truly sincere," he said.

He suggested that the DAP appoint more Malays to state government positions to show that its multi-racial slogan has substance.

"Right now the lack of Malays in top government posts is a kind of handicap for the DAP.

"How do they plan to get more Malays support when there is a lack of Malay DAP members in the state government?" he queried.

On the DAP's recent computer glitch which propelled Zairil into a CEC post, Rahmad agreed that the mistake was genuine although embarrassing .

"It can happen to any party as history has proven, so whether the DAP wants to conduct a re-election is up to the party," he said.

"However, as a party with integrity, they ought to be more sensitive as the situation will bring about a big impact politically as well support towards the party".