DAP should not pander to Umno's racial politics or it would only end up strengthening Umno's position, said Johor DAP assistant publicity chief Sheikh Omar Ali.

He said this following a proposal yesterday that DAP should not field Malay candidates in Johor under its own banner, and that it should use its allies PKR or Parti Amanah Negara's (Amanah) logo instead.

“We cannot continue to dance to Umno's tune. Umno will not stop from its racial framework [...]

“(Amanah president) Mohamad Sabu in his speech had asked Pakatan Harapan to open a new chapter and create a genuine wave of people by stepping out of Umno's narrow racial agenda, and subsequently champion real issues that affect the people such as economic issues, policies to empower the people, and strengthening unity between all races.

“We realise that if Harapan dances to Umno's tune, it would achieve little more than to add to their strength,” he said in a statement last night.

Yesterday, Johor Amanah deputy chief Zulkefly Ahmad urged DAP to be pragmatic and not field Malay candidates in the next general election under its own party's ticket.

Speaking as a delegate at the Pakatan Harapan leadership summit, he said this is because Umno had convinced rural Johor Malays that DAP is an anti-Malay and anti-Islam party.

However, Mohamad and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng had quickly distanced themselves from Zulkefly's remarks.

As for Sheikh Omar, he said he understands Zulkefly's concerns, but said DAP should continue to focus on issues that affect the people and educate them instead.

Confident and optimistic

“If Harapan can stay on this path to educate and give explanations more aggressively, proactively, and consistently to the people - especially in the Malay community - I'm confident that there will be political change in Johor and Putrajaya.

“The 14th general election will take place in less than two years from now. I'm optimistic that it is more than enough for Harapan to do something for the people,” he said.

Nevertheless, he added that he would leave issues related to seat allocations, selection of candidates, and election machinery to be discussed by the coalition leadership.

Separately, DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) publicity chief Muhammad Shakir Ameer disagreed with Zulkefly's proposal, urging him not to be "trapped" by Umno and PAS' racial and religious games.

He said DAP leaders would not choose its candidates based on race or religion, but on the quality of the candidate and their election strategy.

He reminded Zulkefly that the abuse of the politicising of religion by PAS' leadership is what led to Amanah's formation in the first place.

“DAP is often made a scapegoat for its principles of championing freedom, equality, social justice, and solidarity - which challenges the dominance of racial and religious politics played by Umno and BN.

“The negative perception of Malay voters towards DAP is something that the party leadership is aware of. DAP will always stay true to its cause and will change perceptions, particularly amongst Malay voters,” he stressed in a statement yesterday.