Five DAP branches from Nibong Tebal paid a courtesy visit to PAS’ Parit Buntar MP Mujahid Yusof Rawa and pledged their support for an alternative party to PAS.

Led by Nibong Tebal deputy chief Teoh Seang Hooi, the group presented gifts of sarongs to Mujahid while the latter presented them with his latest book titled Islam dan Kepelbagaian ( Islam and Diversity).

Teoh said Mujahid has never wavered from his principles of serving a multiracial community since the DAP started working with him in 2008.

March 2008 was the year the opposition coalition took over Penang state government from BN.

"We hope Mujahid is not disillusioned by his party's recent internal polls.

"He may have lost his post (as PAS central committee member) but he has won the hearts and minds of all Malaysians who want to live in a multiracial society.

"So if Mujahid plans to start a modernised, liberal, and multicultural party, we will support him," Teoh said in a press conference at Mujahid's service centre in Parit Buntar, Perak.

Teoh, who is a former Seberang Perai Municipal councillor, also addressed the possibility that Mujahid may not be fielded as a candidate in Parit Buntar in the 2018 national polls after falling out with the new PAS leadership.

"Whichever seat he contests in the coming polls, we will help and campaign for him and ensure his victory," he added.

DAP says good feedback on new party

During the muktamar held in early June in Selangor, progressive leaders ( photo ) like Mujahid and 17 others, including former deputy chief Mohamed Sabu were replaced by the conservative ulamas aligned to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

The group of 18, now termed ‘Harapan Baru’, plans to join DAP and PKR in a new coalition as Pakatan Rakyat in its present form has ceased to exist when PAS decided to cut ties with DAP.

DAP, too, had severed ties with Hadi over his independent move to table a private member’s bill in Parliament.

Mohamed, better known Mat Sabu, has announced that Harapan Baru will begin its roadshow in Perlis on the third day of hari raya to introduce the idea of a new opposition coalition the people

Teoh said DAP has received positive feedback about the plan by PAS progressive leaders like Mujahid to start an ‘alternative party’ to PAS.

He also praised Mujahid for his ability to organise dialogues between different groups, like Christians and Muslims, which has propelled him onto the global stage.

'I am not anyone's lackey'

Mujahid said he felt honoured by the visit from the DAP leaders to his office.

He said the support by DAP gave him motivation and strength to move forward with a new hope to care for all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion.

He said defeat in party polls were not unusual but he was disappointed at the mud-slinging hurled on PAS progressive leaders who were friendly to DAP and PKR.

"Such allegations as ‘DAP's puppet’, ‘Anwaristas’, and so forth were very insulting and was planned to show that we are of not good character even before the party's polls, to undermine the PAS progressive leaders," Mujahid ( photo ) said.

Anwarista is a term used to describe those who hero-worship PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, who was the likely prime minister candidate should Pakatan seize Putrajaya.

Anwar is currently serving a five-year jail sentence for sodomy at the Sungai Buloh prison.

"My father was the founder of PAS, I do not think I can be anyone's lackey, but I am driven by friendship and loyalty.

"And the decision to support Pakatan is a decision by the party, so supporting Pakatan means being DAP’s lackey or Anwarista?” Mujahid added.