Penang DAP chief: Malays know I'm not extreme, this is an edge

Newly minted Penang DAP chairperson Steven Sim believes he can serve as a “bridge” that connects the Malay community, who remain sceptical about the party’s agenda due to its political rivals claiming it poses a threat to the race and Islam.

The human resources minister cited his proficiency in Bahasa Melayu as an advantage, which earned him the trust of the Malay community.

“They (Malay community) know that I am not extreme,” he told the Penang-based Chinese newspaper Kwong Wah Yit Poh.

By serving as a “bridge”, Sim (above) said he would be able to address issues related to the Chinese community to foster better understanding.

“For example, on the issue of Chinese education… I can explain it to the Malay community using BM and English. So, it’s not a weakness, but a strength,” he added.

On the same note, Sim said he would be able to make the Chinese understand the concerns and fears of the Malays.

“My Malay may be fluent, but I have never said anything that betrays the Chinese community,” he added.

On the perception that DAP has a strong Chinese identity, Sim said the party’s DNA is inherently diverse.

“Members want leaders who dare to speak for the people. Whether a Malay, Chinese, or Indian is bullied, they should be able to seek help from DAP. The party will extend a helping hand, regardless of who is being oppressed.

“This is what we have always been doing, and we will continue to do so,” he added.

Sim also addressed his English-language education background, pointing out that before 2012, he could not speak a word of Chinese.

“But I worked hard to learn (Chinese),” he added.

Red vs blue

It is an open secret that there was a time when DAP witnessed intense friction between two factions, who labelled each other as hua sha (Chinese chauvinists) and ying sha (English chauvinists) or the “grassroots” versus the “elites”.

Dubbed the “Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean” debate, it had been ongoing since the 13th general election in 2013 when DAP sought to shed its Chinese image to appeal to the Malay electorate.

The hua sha faction had argued against abandoning DAP’s principles and diluting the party’s Chinese-ness in favour of Malay votes.

However, in an interview with Malaysiakini in 2022, then secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said he preferred being “Malaysian-centric and Malaysian first”.

“You cannot limit yourself to just a single core. If you do that, then I think you end up being very narrow-minded, very extremist, and on the margins.

“Elections are never won on the extreme, they are always won on the centre,” he said.

Ex-DAP MP schools PM on how to promote BM

Teo new Johor DAP chief, Wong becomes her deputy

DAP MP slams Health Ministry's slow response over health worker's death

Chinese turnout in Mahkota not as low as some claim - Johor DAP chief