PUTRAJAYA: DAP is not the sort of party that will backstab a friend or change its narrative mindlessly, says its secretary-general Anthony Loke.
"Therefore, Umno leaders and members, as well as the Malay community, need not worry about the presence of DAP in the unity government," said Loke.
The Seremban MP said DAP promised to continue to practise moderate politics through the social democracy ideology since its main aspiration is to ensure the well-being of Malaysia's multicultural society.
"The political reality today is that the position of the Malay is guaranteed and strong because Malay votes comprise about 65% of the total electorates, which means the Malays need not worry about DAP.
"DAP is a party that is loyal to its struggles and friends. We will not backstab anyone or say something in the morning and then say another at night. We will not simply issue a fatwa.
"DAP is a party that is based on strong principles and social democracy. We want everyone to live harmoniously instead of being enemies with one another.
"I would like to reiterate DAP's stand that the Malays are not the enemies of DAP and DAP is not the enemy of the Malays," he said in his speech during the DAP national congress here on Sunday (Sept 10).
At the same time, Loke also addressed DAP's "Malaysian Malaysia" concept, which has courted criticisms from opposition parties.
"If Malaysia is not for Malaysians, then who is for? We are caught in an old paradigm, thinking that when DAP says this, it means we want to push the Malays aside. This is wrong and not what we are about."
During the congress, DAP also witnessed the presence of leaders from other parties, including Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
At the same time, Loke also took a swipe against former prime minister and ex-Umno president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for being "forgetful".
"This is the first time a sitting Umno president attends our congress. This a new record and new history for us," he said to the cheers from DAP delegates present.
"There was once a former Umno president who also attended our programme, and he previously said he was shocked to see DAP conducting its congress in the Malay language and that our party song is also in Malay. I guess that the former Umno president is very 'forgetful' about how (DAP is a party).
"I am sure Ahmad Zahid is not surprised by this. All of our leaders can speak Malay fluently. Not only that, some of them can even 'berpantun' like Steven Sim (Bukit Mertajam MP) and his sparring partner from Umno Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (Pontian MP).
"To all of our Umno friends, I would like to tell you that this is the real face of DAP. We are not enemies."
ENDS
POLITICS
