Since the 2013 general election, DAP has been locked in a debate over the need to woo Malay voters, which led to a three-hour discussion during the party retreat last week attended by 200 leaders and elected representatives.

Malaysiakini understands that among the issues discussed at the two-day meet, included how to win over the hearts and minds of Malay voters in view of the next general election.

There was a move to push for DAP to make a radical change with regard to its modus operandi and become more inclusive, if the opposition wanted to capture the administrative capital.

Although multi-racial in constitution, DAP is predominantly Chinese in composition.

This is often used by its political adversaries, who accuse the party of having a nefarious agenda to undermine the position of Malays and Islam, forcing its leaders to issue denials on a regular basis.

The attacks intensified after the last general election, where DAP scored its biggest ever electoral victory, capturing 37 Chinese-majority parliamentary and 105 state seats.

Will principles be sacrificed?

Malaysiakini learned that a total of 16 leaders participated in the discussion on Malay votes, where the debate was divided along the lines of how to secure them.

This is due to concern amongst some that DAP might need to compromise on certain principles with regard to racial hegemony and unequal policies.

It is said those who believe DAP must not be rigid were Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari, Senai assemblyperson Wong Shu Qi, and Malaysia Dream adviser Wan Hamidi Hamid.

On the opposing team were Bilut assemblyperson Chow Yu Hui and DAP Youth national political education director Chiong Yoke Kong.

However, the leaders of the respective factions Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong and Hew Kuan Yau, who is better known as 'Superman', were absent from the retreat.

During the Teluk Intan by-election in 2014, DAP caused a stir when it nominated a Malay candidate, Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud.

However, Dyana was narrowly defeated by Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong.

Following this, Hew argued that preserving the Chinese support base is crucial before venturing into 'Malay lands' while Liew was of the opinion that Chinese and Malay votes are not zero-sum games, thus expanding their reach is important.

Motion tabled to change modus operandi

Liew , who is currently on medical leave after being stricken with Bell's palsy, tabled a motion at the retreat, which was presented by Wan Hamidi.

During the fierce debate, sources said, a leader from Liew's faction argued that DAP must understand the Malay anxiety.

"The person argued that since Malays are conservative Muslims, the party must work along these lines to capture their support," he said.

However, a leader from the opposing team rejected this, arguing that the Malays should be convinced to embrace equality amongst races.

"This leader pointed out that since the party was formed, we have been consistently against the New Economic Policy, widespread powers of the monarchy and Islamisation.

"This leader had asked besides DAP, who dared to speak up against the monarchy and Islamisation," said the source.

When an electronic survey was conducted for all those who attended the retreat, the results appeared to be in support of winning more Malay votes.

But the opposing faction claimed the survey was flawed as the questions were set in a problematic manner.

For example, the source said there was one question which asked if DAP should increase its Malay membership to 30 percent.

The argument was that while all agreed on the need to increase Malay support, the debate was on the method of doing so.

After the heated exchange of ideas, DAP veteran leader Lim Kit Siang attempted to mediate during the open-floor session.

One participant said his speech more or less set the tone for the party's direction, which is to make more inroads into Malay areas.

"Kit Siang took pride that DAP is a progressive party. He cited how DAP contested in 100 percent Malay seats such as in the Kampung Baru by-election in the 1960s.

"He said the party history shows that it never used the race factor," said the source.

On Sunday, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng admitted that all leaders agreed to winning over Malay support and downplayed the reservations raised during the retreat as something normal.

"During our retreat... They (participants) endorsed the stand to be more open, and we will continue to recruit more Malays and counter the poison by BN and Umno," he said.

However, it seems that the ball did not stop rolling with the retreat.

The representatives of both camps, namely Zairil and Chow , continue to put their points across publicly through their writings and statements. The divide may continue until the next party polls.