DAP, Khairy and Shahril in the same team is not surprising, say analysts

SHAH ALAM - DAP offering former Umno leaders Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Sufian Hamdan to join hands with them is not surprising, but their motives remain a mystery say analysts.

Universiti Teknologi Mara Senior lecturer Dr Aziz Azizam said Ong Kian Ming inviting Khairy and Sharil to join DAP and suggesting that they there were good Prime Minister candidates was nothing out of the ordinary.

"This is because, out of all the parties in Malaysia, DAP is the one that appears to be consistently progressive and growing stronger with every general election since independence until today.

"DAP dares to speak the truth and knows that it is difficult for them to form a government without the support of Malays.

"DAP candidates who are dominated by the Chinese community will not be able to become Prime Minister.

"And by inviting Khairy and Shahril, it is actually a current need for the party due to the political reality in Malaysia that requires the leadership from Malays to ensure social and economic stability and harmony," he said.

Aziz was commenting on the recent statement made by Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming who had suggested for the former Umno leaders to join DAP as the party needs a Prime Minister candidate.

"Both of you fit the bill," he said in response to Khairy's question on why should he and Shahril should join DAP during the Keluar Sekejap Podcast Episode 15.

However, Aziz said there are some doubts about DAP's offer which relates to their sincerity.

"Why is the offer only for Khairy and Sharil? Is it purely for the party's interests or national interests?

"If Khairy and Sharil are evaluated based on their abilities and achievements that have brought benefits to the public, DAP should openly offer such positions to other Malay politicians to join them," he elaborated.

Meanwhile Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Political Sociology lecturer Professor Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said both Khairy and Shahril should consider their ‘political journey’ and ‘path’ in the national political arena rationally.

"Malaysian politics is all about ‘numbers’. It will definitely be a boost for DAP and might be the way forward but will that mean they will lose support from certain Malay groups?

"It's kind of a mix reaction.

"May be both should take a ‘sabbatical from politics’ and come back when a rational decision can be made," he elaborated

Meanwhile, Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Dr Oh Ei Sun said Khairy and Shahril joining hands with DAP is workable especially in terms of further strengthening DAP's Malay support base.

"But that support base is unlikely to broaden significantly, as the mainstream Malay voter base has in general shifted to a more conservative and religiously oriented outlook, which simply does not chime with the progressive and secular outlook of DAP.

"It will be ultimately a futile move," he said.