Don't fall into PN's trap with racial issues, expert tells Penang DAP

SHAH ALAM - Penang DAP has been told to stay away from racial issues as Perikatan Nasional is likely to play up any racial sentiments "played up" by DAP Chairman Lim Guan Eng.

Political analyst Associate Professor Dr Syaza Shukri from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) reminded Lim that he shoud know what not to say.

"It might affect some Malay voters, but the Malays in Penang are also happy with the development in the state. It’s just that it (Lim's statements) will be played out by the PN throughout the campaign now," she told Sinar Daily.

She was commenting on Lim alleging that 'the green wave' – a reference to Perikatan Nasional (PN)’s election appeals with voters, would destroy temples and deny religious rights in Penang.

Syaza pointed out that Lim’s statement was a blunder and he should stay away from such sentiments.

"While there's a growing Malay population on the mainland, it is slightly leaning towards PN but overall Penang is more balanced politically and demographically," Syaza said.

Political analyst Associate Professor Dr Sivamurugan Pandian from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) agreed with Syaza, claiming that Lim’s statement could be manipulated especially those linked to religion, race, and royalty (3R).

"Of course the opposition will use issues surrounding racial sentiments as a tool to create a deficit of trust and depend on how others, including PH component parties with Barisan Nasional (BN), can manage the voters' psychic towards these issues," Sivamurugan said.

Datuk Prof Dr Jayum Jawan believes that DAP will continue to retain their victory in Penang and that they only need a small number of votes to gain the Malay majority seats.

"In Penang, half of the population and half of the state seats are Chinese, the rest are Malays. So voting will fall along racial lines," Jayum said.

Meanwhile, Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Dr Oh Ei Sun noted that DAP's reputation among supporters of the Malay community is already at an all-time low, so there is little room for additional deterioration in the near term, at least for the purposes of the state election.

"On the other hand, DAP stands to lose support among non-Malays, in the form of them not voting for not standing up to the green-wave onslaught, so it has to make a firm stand to retain such support," he added.