Ex-member doubts DAP will field Malays in Penang
GEORGE TOWN: A former DAP member is doubting that Penang DAP will field any Malay candidates in the 14th General Election (GE14), even though it has always claimed to be a multiracial party.
Rahmad Isahak said the allocation made for Islam in Penang had increased under the DAP-led state government.
However, most of the Malays in the state were still suffering due to the high cost of living.
He cited high-end condominiums, which were built in the past decade and sold at exorbitant prices, and were beyond the reach of the middle-income group, especially Malays.
He said the party should field a Malay candidate, who could voice out the concerns of Malay voters at the state level, apart from proving its stance as a multiracial party.
“However, will this happen? They have held the state for almost a decade, but today, none of its assemblymen is Malay.
“In the next election, even if there is a Malay candidate, I believe that particular candidate might just be a puppet for the party and state government,” he said yesterday.
DAP holds 19 state seats and none of its representatives are Malay. Their ally, PKR, has 10 seats.
Rahmad also doubted if DAP would sacrifice its seats for two new parties in Pakatan Harapan — Parti Amanah Negara (PAN) and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM). The state Pakatan Harapan had yet to announce its seat allocation.
Rahmad believed DAP might be unhappy in giving up its seats.
He said the party might fight to get more seats to expand its power in the state government.
“At the end of the day, it will be PKR that will be on the losing end. Pakatan Harapan should not allow DAP to dominate the pact.
“However, what we hope to see is a new government in Penang to safeguard the interest of the people. Enough is enough, Penangites are tired of the never-ending problems, topped by massive scandals,” he said.