DAP 'Achilles heel' label: Kasthuri tells Ti to stop 'theatrical victimhood'

DAP leader Kasthuri Patto has taken aim at MCA senator Ti Lian Ker for labelling DAP as the “Achilles heel” of the coalition government.

The DAP deputy secretary for international affairs said Ti exemplifies MCA’s dual faces - as the blamer and the instigator.

“If Ti understood the true meaning of ‘Achilles heel’, and that labelling DAP as such is entirely misplaced, perhaps he would have refrained from speaking.

“Ti's feeble counter to Seputeh MP Teresa Kok’s characterisation of MCA as ’sesat’, or misguided, lacks substance and meandered aimlessly without a coherent point.

“Despite weighing the options of responding to Ti, I felt compelled to set the record straight. And it is not the first time I have felt obliged to respond to Ti’s wild finger-pointings,” Kasthuri (above) said in a statement today.

The former Batu MP urged Ti to stop his “theatrical victimhood and confront reality”.

“MCA’s severe decline in support during the last election stemmed solely from its own failures.

“Despite self-proclaiming as custodians of the Chinese community, Malaysians across diverse backgrounds - including Malays, Chinese, Indians, Sikhs, Sabahans, Sarawakians, Orang Asli, and Orang Asal - fervently elected representatives irrespective of their ethnicity,” she added.

Weak link claim

Ti recently weighed in on the exchange between senior MCA and DAP leaders, saying that while MCA was at a crossroads, rival party DAP's “confusing” position was the greater problem.

He said it was the weak link of the coalition government as it is the largest party in terms of seats but is mistrusted by Malay voters.

The spat unfolded when MCA president Wee Ka Siong hit out at Kok’s labelling of the BN component as “sesat” in its supposed attacks on her party.

Wee said it was slanderous of Kok to say that he “attacked” DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, stressing that while he had criticised Loke as his successor in the Transport Ministry, both issues were on matters of public interest - data security concerns over the MyJPJ application, and airfares to Sabah and Sarawak.

DAP knows its goals

Kasthuri said DAP remains steadfast in advocating for a Malaysian Malaysia, where every individual under the Malaysian flag has equal opportunities to realise their dreams through hard work, honesty, diligence, integrity, and courage.

“Our party comprises multiracial Malaysians aspiring for the best version of our country, in stark contrast to MCA’s continued reliance on ethnic divisions.

“Unlike MCA’s safe play, DAP prioritises the nation, demanding accountability, honesty, and good governance, whether in opposition or within the government,” she added.

While Malaysia progresses towards inclusivity, she said MCA remains stuck in the past, seeking relevance by blaming others for its own shortcomings.

“If MCA bemoans its failure to secure the Malay popular vote within the Madani government, it must introspect for failing to deliver the very votes it boasts about.

“The DAP’s inclusive politics doesn’t aim to replace MCA within the unity government but to complement, contrary to Ti’s assertions. Given DAP’s principles, track record, performance, and inclusive membership, we are far from the Achilles heel Ti portrays us as,” she added.

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