SHAH ALAM: DAP wants to be seen as a political party for all Malaysians instead of being considered as a non-Malay or a Chinese-based party.
Its secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said since its inception in 1966, the party has welcomed leaders and members from various races and all walks of life - be it Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan, Dayak and Orang Asli.
“In DAP’s fold, we have Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Dayaks, Orang Asli leaders and members.
"We have members from all races since our inception in 1966. Our elected representatives include Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans and Kadazans. We are a truly Malaysian party,” said Lim today.
He said this in his policy speech at the opening of the DAP National Conference held at the Ideal Convention Centre Shah Alam.
It was attended by leaders such as DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang, PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu as well as Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia secretary-general Datuk Marzuki Yahya.
A total of 969 delegates were in attendance alongside 188 observers. One of the conference’s main agenda was to make amendments to the party’s constitution while the DAP central executive committee will table a New Malaysia Declaration to be endorsed.
Lim said the electoral strength of PH was winning in mixed seats which makes the foundation of the government.
“Each of PH component parties need to think about serving all Malaysians in their constituencies and in the country as a whole.
“DAP has to be seen as genuinely solving the concerns of ordinary Malays, just as Bersatu, Amanah and PKR need to be seen as genuinely concerned about the ordinary non-Malays.
“All of us need to see beyond Semenanjung (Peninsular Malaysia) to ensure a truly Malaysian vision,” he added.
He said PH needs to put in a new framework that recognises that all Malaysians have more in common than differences.
“While our cultural background may differ, our lives are intertwined and our destiny similar. We must not be caught in ethnic zero sum games but that we can only win or lose together.”
PH, he said, has a lot on its hands, including fulfilling promises to the 'rakyat' (people) following the 14th General Election win
Lim also asked that the people give time to PH to resolve the country’s woes.
“As much as the public want us to resolve problems of the next two weeks, the state of the Malaysian economy is the outcome of decisions made in the last twenty or 61 years.
“No matter how hard we try, problems from 61 years back cannot be solved in one year. Instead, we need to think ahead about the next twenty years, for the 99 per cent not the 1 per cent cronies, to put Malaysia back on track for the next generation,” he added.
Meanwhile, in a press conference later, Lim said PH will stress on need based policies to ensure that people of all races are taken care of.
“We will ensure that these need based policies continue and it will not let anybody lose out. We must do better than the previous government. We need to give our commitment that if you are poor its doesnt matter if you are Chinese, Malay, Indian or Kadazan.
“We don't deny that the majority of Malays need help. But, that doesn't mean that there are no poor Indians and Chinese that need help.
“We need to help the poor regardless of race or we will face the consequences. There is no point of becoming the government if we dont do the right thing.” he added.