Political analysts have responded with a resounding 'no' to a question on whether DAP would dominate the political landscape due to Malays being politically divided.

Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah raised this hypothetical question in an interview with Sinar Harian, published yesterday.

Tengku Razaleigh said it would not be an easy feat for DAP, but added that it was logical that some people would think that way.

However, independent analyst Khoo Kay Peng said it was simply “mathematically impossible”, pointing to DAP having contested less than 50 of the 222 existing parliamentary seats.

“It’s impossible to say they can dominate. The ones who can dominate are Umno, apart from major Sarawak parties.

“Umno was able to control almost the whole Parliament in 2004. I don't think DAP can come close to this,” Khoo told Malaysiakini.

University of Tasmania's Asia Institute director James Chin (photo) pointed out that DAP could not benefit from a politically-divided Malay community, since it is locked into the urban Chinese seats only.

“At present this means DAP can only lock-in about 30 to 35 seats. As long as DAP cannot expand into Malay areas, it will always be a minor party,” he said.

The Malaysian electoral system, Chin added, was designed for a Malay win, regardless of any situation.

“No matter how the general election is held, the only outcome in any general election is an all-Malay government or Malay-plus-non-Malay parties.

“It is not possible for a non-Malay victory, under any circumstances,” Chin maintained.

Only weaker Umno, not stronger DAP

Merdeka Center programme director Ibrahim Suffian also acknowledged the limited number of parliamentary seats held by DAP.

DAP, he added, was effectively cut off from any important decision-making that affects public life.

“The differences in political thought among Malays simply reflects a community that is increasingly assertive and becoming more aware of its rights.

“The increased number of parties results in a weaker Umno. He (Tengku Razaleigh) should suggest how his party can convince Malays, rather than blame unrelated parties like DAP.”

Likewise, senior fellow at the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (Ikmas) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Faisal S Hazis, holds the same view.

“If you look at the number of seats it's impossible for a single, non-Malay party to form the government,” he said.

Playing the well-worn racial card

Commenting on Tengku Razaleigh’s statement, Faisal said this was the kind of racial and religious card that Umno kept playing.

“It’s a strategy to stoke fear among the Malays – that the opposition parties led by non-Malays will take over is a narrative constantly used by Umno.

“Hopefully, one day, Malaysians can move beyond this. It doesn't matter who is going to rule, as long as the ruler is just, policies are people-centric and there’s equal economic growth,” Faisal said, adding that politicians should stop playing the racial-religious card.

University of Nottingham, Malaysia professor Zaharom Nain also criticised Tengku Razaleigh for his statement, saying that it was “racial scaremongering” by a politician who had lost “so much credibility in a short space of time”.

The Umno veteran and Gua Musang MP said yesterday some people believe that that since there are now five Malay parties in the arena, this would give DAP a chance to dominate the Malays.

In the past, the contest for Malay political support had been among Umno, PAS and Malay majority-PKR.

However, there are now two new parties in the fray – Umno splinter group Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and PAS offshoot Parti Amanah Negara, Tengku Razaleigh argued.