Piloting DAP's rocket in PAS heartland

In a significant shift in the political landscape of Kelantan, Malays in the state are slowly opening up to DAP, claimed the party’s state chairperson Azaha Abdul Rani.

This development marks a notable change in the traditionally conservative region, as Azaha acknowledged that the state is historically known for its strong support for PAS and its associated political ideologies, proven by the Islamist party's undisputable reign since 1990.

He attributed this growing acceptance to the evolving political climate and the changes within Pakatan Rakyat, the opposition coalition that includes DAP and PAS formed before the 12th general election and disbanded after GE13.

"(Previously) it's quite difficult, but when the government was not in power, and when there was unity between PAS and DAP via Pakatan Rakyat, at least it resembled PAS in some ways.

"Indirectly, it informed the people that they could sit with DAP. They did not view it as something extreme or racist towards a particular ethnic group," Azaha said.

Azaha claimed that the state party has more than 4,000 members across all ethnicities particularly the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Siamese and even Orang Asli.

Azaha said this change in perspective has, in turn, influenced the broader electorate, making them more receptive to DAP’s policies and leadership.

He emphasised that the increasing acceptance is also due to the enhanced access to information that modern technology affords.

"The younger generation has already started to accept it, meaning that from the time of Pakatan Rakyat until now, the acceptance among Malays, which is about 90 percent in Kelantan, has significantly increased.

"Especially in this new era, everything is at our fingertips. If we compare to the past, when information was shared through newspapers or speeches, now there is no need to go through mass media.

"Everyone now knows what we and the DAP are doing," he said.

Azaha said this transparency has allowed voters to form their own opinions, leading to a more informed and nuanced view of the party.

Technology's role in political perception

With the rise of digital media in reshaping political perceptions across the country through the ability to access and verify information online easily, Azaha said the electorate is better equipped to evaluate political parties and their platforms.

This shift has led to a broader acceptance of diverse political ideologies and parties once considered unorthodox in certain regions.

"People can see the work DAP is doing, rather than relying on preconceived notions or partisan narratives. This has led to a more balanced view of what the party represents," Azaha noted.

In response to questions about potential backlash or hostility faced by DAP members in Kelantan, Azaha stated that he has not encountered any threats or insults related to his association with the party.

"I have not received any threats or insults. If there were, I would have reported them to the authorities," he clarified.

Despite certain stereotypes, Azaha said the Kelantanese are peaceful people, and threats are not a local way to voice out dissatisfaction.

He said that every party has their own "baggage" or certain types of negative themes attached to their political stance.

"If you join DAP, it means betraying the nation. If you join PAS, you're accused of riding out the religion. If you join Umno, you're said to be colluding with corruption and stealing government assets.

"Likewise, other parties are labelled with accusations. There's no satisfaction. Who will ever be satisfied? No matter where you are or which party you join, there will always be dissatisfaction," he said.

However, despite the sometimes contentious nature of party politics, he believed the people in Kelantan would stay true and committed to maintaining a constructive and open dialogue in the political sphere.

Nenggiri: Umno needs a lifeline

As for the Nenggiri by-election tomorrow, Azaha believed that the DAP would still help Umno, despite the latter’s previous claims that it did not require external assistance.

“Umno’s campaign efforts have mostly been solitary. It was appropriate for them to initially decline help, but now it’s evident that critical support is necessary," he said.

Previously, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke expressed readiness to assist in BN’s campaign if requested.

Umno adviser Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, however, asserted that DAP's support was unnecessary.

Despite Umno's confidence in a certain victory, Azaha emphasised that the voters will ultimately decide the outcome.

“I urge Umno's campaign machinery to be more aggressive. That is my hope," he said.

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